Mixed number calculator

This calculator performs basic and advanced operations with mixed numbers, fractions, integers, and decimals. Mixed numbers are also called mixed fractions. A mixed number is a whole number and a proper fraction combined, i.e. one and three-quarters. The calculator evaluates the expression or solves the equation with step-by-step calculation progress information. Solve problems with two or more mixed numbers fractions in one expression.

The result:

2 2/3 - 1 1/4 = 17/12 = 1 5/12 ≅ 1.4166667

The result spelled out in words is one and five twelfths (or seventeen twelfths).

Calculation steps

Conversion a mixed number 2 2/3 to a improper fraction: 2 2/3 = 2 2/3 = 2 · 3 + 2/3 = 6 + 2/3 = 8/3

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 2 by the denominator 3. Whole number 2 equally 2 * 3/3 = 6/3
b) Add the answer from the previous step 6 to the numerator 2. New numerator is 6 + 2 = 8
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 8) over the denominator 3.

Two and two thirds is eight thirds.
Conversion a mixed number 1 1/4 to a improper fraction: 1 1/4 = 1 1/4 = 1 · 4 + 1/4 = 4 + 1/4 = 5/4

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 1 by the denominator 4. Whole number 1 equally 1 * 4/4 = 4/4
b) Add the answer from the previous step 4 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 4 + 1 = 5
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 5) over the denominator 4.

One and one quarter is five quarters.
Subtract: 8/3 - 5/4 = 8 · 4/3 · 4 - 5 · 3/4 · 3 = 32/12 - 15/12 = 32 - 15/12 = 17/12
It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal) denominator for subtracting fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(3, 4) = 12. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 3 × 4 = 12. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words, eight thirds minus five quarters equals seventeen twelfths.

What is a mixed number?

A mixed number is an integer and fraction

a \frac{b}{c}

whose value equals the sum of that integer and fraction. For example, we write two and four-fifths as

2 \frac{4}{5}

. Its value is

2 \frac{4}{5} = 2 + \frac{4}{5} = \frac{1 0}{5} + \frac{4}{5} = \frac{1 4}{5}

. The mixed number is the exception - the missing operand between a whole number and a fraction is not multiplication but an addition:

2 \frac{4}{5} \neq = 2 \cdot \frac{4}{5}

. A negative mixed number - the minus sign also applies to the fractional

- 2 \frac{4}{5} = - (2 \frac{4}{5}) = - (2 + \frac{4}{5}) = - \frac{1 4}{5}

. A mixed number is sometimes called a mixed fraction. Usually, a mixed number contains a natural number and a proper fraction, and its value is an improper fraction, that is, one where the numerator is greater than the denominator.

How do I imagine a mixed number?

We can imagine mixed numbers in the example of cakes. We have three cakes, and we have divided each into five parts. We thus obtained 3 * 5 = 15 pieces of cake. One piece when we ate, there were 14 pieces left, which is