Fraction calculator



This fraction calculator performs all fraction operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and evaluates expressions with fractions. It also shows detailed step-by-step information.

The result:

8 1/5 + 9 1/2 = 177/10 = 17 7/10 = 17.7

The result spelled out in words is one hundred seventy-seven tenths (or seventeen and seven tenths).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

  1. Conversion a mixed number 8 1/5 to a improper fraction: 8 1/5 = 8 1/5 = 8 · 5 + 1/5 = 40 + 1/5 = 41/5

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 8 by the denominator 5. Whole number 8 equally 8 * 5/5 = 40/5
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 40 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 40 + 1 = 41
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 41) over the denominator 5.

    Eight and one fifth is forty-one fifths.
  2. Conversion a mixed number 9 1/2 to a improper fraction: 9 1/2 = 9 1/2 = 9 · 2 + 1/2 = 18 + 1/2 = 19/2

    To find a new numerator:
    a) Multiply the whole number 9 by the denominator 2. Whole number 9 equally 9 * 2/2 = 18/2
    b) Add the answer from the previous step 18 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 18 + 1 = 19
    c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 19) over the denominator 2.

    Nine and a half is nineteen halves.
  3. Add: 41/5 + 19/2 = 41 · 2/5 · 2 + 19 · 5/2 · 5 = 82/10 + 95/10 = 82 + 95/10 = 177/10
    It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal) denominator for adding fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(5, 2) = 10. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 5 × 2 = 10. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
    In other words, forty-one fifths plus nineteen halves equals one hundred seventy-seven tenths.

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - write a forward slash to separate the numerator and the denominator, i.e., for five-hundredths, enter 5/100. If you use mixed numbers, leave a space between the whole and fraction parts.

Mixed numerals (mixed numbers or fractions) - keep one space between the whole part and fraction and use a forward slash to input fraction i.e., 1 2/3 . A negative mixed fraction write for example as -5 1/2.
A slash is both a sign for fraction line and division, use a colon (:) for division fractions i.e., 1/2 : 1/3.
Decimals (decimal numbers) enter with a decimal dot . and they are automatically converted to fractions - i.e. 1.45.


Math Symbols


OpSymbol nameSymbol MeaningExample
+plus signaddition 1/2 + 1/3
-minus signsubtraction 1 1/2 - 2/3
*asteriskmultiplication 2/3 * 3/4
×times signmultiplication 2/3 × 5/6
:division signdivision 1/2 : 3
/division slashdivision 1/3 / 5
:coloncomplex fraction 1/2 : 1/3
^caretexponentiation / power 1/4^3
()parenthesescalculate expression inside first-3/5 - (-1/4)


The calculator follows well-known rules for the order of operations. The most common mnemonics for remembering this order are:
  • PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
  • BEDMAS: Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
  • BODMAS: Brackets, Order (or "Of"), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
  • GEMDAS: Grouping symbols (brackets: `(){}`), Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
  • MDAS: Multiplication and Division (same precedence), Addition and Subtraction (same precedence). MDAS is a subset of PEMDAS.
Important Notes:
1. Multiplication/Division vs. Addition/Subtraction: Always perform multiplication and division *before* addition and subtraction.
2. Left-to-Right Rule: Operators with the same precedence (e.g., `+` and `-`, or `*` and `/`) must be evaluated from left to right.

Last Modified: April 16, 2025