Fraction Calculator with Steps
Type two fractions, mixed numbers, whole numbers or decimals, choose add, subtract, multiply or divide, and get the simplified answer, the mixed number and the exact decimal - with each step of the working, from the common denominator to the final simplification.
Accepted: whole numbers 3, fractions 3/4, mixed numbers 1 1/2, negatives -2/5 and decimals 0.75.
Steps
The four rules, side by side
| Operation | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add | Common denominator, then add the tops | 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6 |
| Subtract | Common denominator, then subtract the tops | 5/6 − 1/3 = 5/6 − 2/6 = 3/6 = 1/2 |
| Multiply | Top × top, bottom × bottom | 3/2 × 2/3 = 6/6 = 1 |
| Divide | Flip the second fraction, then multiply | 3/4 ÷ 3/8 = 3/4 × 8/3 = 24/12 = 2 |
Every answer is simplified by dividing the top and bottom by their greatest common divisor (GCD). A negative sign is always moved to the top, so 3/−4 is shown as −3/4.
Worked example: 1 1/2 × 2/3
- Write the mixed number as an improper fraction
1 1/2 = (1 × 2 + 1)/2 = 3/2 - Multiply the numerators and the denominators
(3 × 2)/(2 × 3) = 6/6 - Simplify by the GCD, 6
6/6 = 1
Answer: 1. Typing 3/2 instead of 1 1/2 gives the same result - mixed and improper forms are the same number.
Why the steps are exact
Most calculators turn fractions into decimals, and decimals like 1/3 = 0.3333… cannot be stored exactly, so tiny errors creep in. This one never converts until the very end: every step is done with whole-number arithmetic on the numerator and denominator (JavaScript BigInt), so 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 is exactly 1, and a 30-digit product is still exact.
The steps you see are produced by the same calculation that gives the answer, not written afterwards, so they always match it.
The decimal is exact too. When it repeats forever the repeating digits are put in brackets: 5/6 = 0.8(3) means 0.8333…, and 1/7 = 0.(142857).
What this calculator does not do
- Two numbers and one operation at a time; no brackets, powers or algebra.
- Each whole number, numerator and denominator can have up to 15 digits; results are exact at any size.
- Decimals you type are converted exactly (0.1 = 1/10); a repeating decimal like 0.333… cannot be typed - enter 1/3 instead.
Frequently asked questions
How do you add fractions with different denominators?
How do you divide fractions?
How do I enter a mixed number?
What does a number in brackets in the decimal mean?
Why can't I divide by zero?
Can it solve equations with x?
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