Worked answers
What your result means
The answer is shown in simplest form, which means the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1. If the answer is bigger than 1, you also get it as a mixed number (a whole number plus a fraction), plus the decimal and percentage, so you can use whichever form your homework or recipe asks for.
How to use the Fraction Calculator
- Type the first value as a fraction (3/4), a mixed number with a space (2 1/3), a whole number or a decimal.
- Choose add, subtract, multiply or divide.
- Type the second value the same way.
- Read the answer in simplest form, then open "Show the working" to see each step.
Formula and worked example
add / subtract: a/b ± c/d = (a×d ± c×b) / (b×d), then simplifymultiply: a/b × c/d = (a×c) / (b×d), then simplifydivide: a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c = (a×d) / (b×c)mixed number: w n/d = (w×d + n) / dsimplify: divide top and bottom by their greatest common divisor
Worked example: 2 1/3 + 3/4. Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions: 2 1/3 = 7/3, 3/4 = 3/4. Use the common denominator 12: 7/3 = 28/12 and 3/4 = 9/12. Add the numerators: 28 + 9 = 37, so the result is 37/12. As a mixed number: 37/12 = 3 1/12. Answer: 37/12 = 3 1/12.
Common fraction results
| Problem | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1/2 + 1/3 | 5/6 |
| 3/4 − 1/3 | 5/12 |
| 2/3 × 3/4 | 1/2 |
| 1/2 ÷ 1/4 | 2 |
| 1 1/2 × 1/4 | 3/8 |
| 3 1/3 ÷ 4 | 5/6 |
Computed by the calculator above.
Assumptions and limits
- Results are exact fractions in simplest form; the decimal is rounded to 6 places.
- Each whole number, numerator and denominator can have up to 6 digits.
- A negative mixed number such as −1 1/2 means −(1 + 1/2) = −3/2.
Frequently asked questions
How do you add fractions with different denominators?
Find a common denominator (the least common multiple of the two denominators), rewrite each fraction over it, add the numerators, then simplify. For 1/2 + 1/3, the common denominator is 6: 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.
How do you multiply mixed numbers?
Turn each mixed number into an improper fraction first: 2 1/3 becomes (2 × 3 + 1)/3 = 7/3. Then multiply the numerators and denominators and simplify. For 2 1/3 × 2, that is 7/3 × 2/1 = 14/3, or 4 2/3 as a mixed number.
How do you divide fractions?
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second (flip it upside down). For example, 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 4/2 = 2. Dividing by zero is undefined, so the calculator warns you if the second value is 0.
What does simplest form mean?
A fraction is in simplest form when the numerator and denominator have no common factor other than 1. To get there, divide both by their greatest common divisor: 12/18 has a GCD of 6, so it simplifies to 2/3.
How do I enter a mixed number?
Type the whole number, a space, then the fraction, like 2 1/3. You can also type improper fractions (7/3), whole numbers (5), negative values (-3/4) and short decimals (0.25), which are converted to fractions exactly.
How do you convert a fraction to a decimal?
Divide the numerator by the denominator. For example, 2/3 = 2 ÷ 3 = 0.666667 (rounded). The calculator shows the decimal and the percentage for every answer.
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About this calculator
Written and maintained by Ahsan Khan. See how every number is calculated, and the test cases checked on every update, on the methodology page.
Sources
- Grade 5: Number and Operations, Fractions (5.NF), Common Core State Standards Initiative (accessed Oct 11, 2026)
- Grade 6: The Number System (6.NS.A.1, dividing fractions by fractions), Common Core State Standards Initiative (accessed Oct 11, 2026)
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