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:

30 - 8 3/4 - 3 1/2 = 71/4 = 17 3/4 = 17.75

The spelled result in words is seventeen and three quarters (or seventy-one quarters).

Calculation steps

Conversion a mixed number 8 3/4 to a improper fraction: 8 3/4 = 8 3/4 = 8 · 4 + 3/4 = 32 + 3/4 = 35/4

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 8 by the denominator 4. Whole number 8 equally 8 * 4/4 = 32/4
b) Add the answer from the previous step 32 to the numerator 3. New numerator is 32 + 3 = 35
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 35) over the denominator 4.

Eight and three quarters is thirty-five quarters.
Subtract: 30 - 35/4 = 21.25 = 85/4
Conversion a mixed number 3 1/2 to a improper fraction: 3 1/2 = 3 1/2 = 3 · 2 + 1/2 = 6 + 1/2 = 7/2

To find a new numerator:
a) Multiply the whole number 3 by the denominator 2. Whole number 3 equally 3 * 2/2 = 6/2
b) Add the answer from the previous step 6 to the numerator 1. New numerator is 6 + 1 = 7
c) Write a previous answer (new numerator 7) over the denominator 2.

Three and one half is seven halfs.
Subtract: the result of step No. 2 - 7/2 = 85/4 - 7/2 = 85/4 - 7 · 2/2 · 2 = 85/4 - 14/4 = 85 - 14/4 = 71/4
It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal, identical) denominator for adding, subtracting, and comparing fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(4, 2) = 4. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 4 × 2 = 8. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.
In other words - eighty-five quarters minus seven halfs is seventy-one quarters.

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