Recent Calculations
How It Works
Pick your operation. Enter your fractions. Hit Calculate.
You can use regular fractions like 1/2, or mixed numbers like 2 1/3. Results show up as fractions, decimals, and percentages. You'll see every step of the work.
What Each Operation Does
Addition and Subtraction: Find a common denominator, then add or subtract the numerators. 1/4 + 1/2 = 3/4. Same process for subtraction: 3/4 - 1/2 = 1/4.
Multiplication: Multiply straight across - numerators together, denominators together. Then simplify. So 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2.
Division: Flip the second fraction and multiply. Dividing by 2/3 is the same as multiplying by 3/2.
Simplify: Reduces a fraction to lowest terms. 8/12 becomes 2/3.
Compare: Shows which fraction is bigger using cross-multiplication and decimal values.
Reciprocal: Flips it upside down. 3/4 → 4/3.
Conversions: Switch between fractions, decimals, and percentages. Handles mixed numbers and improper fractions. Converts decimals like 0.75 into 3/4, even if they're repeating decimals.
Fraction Basics
A fraction is part of a whole. 3/4 means you've got 3 pieces out of 4.
Pizza example: cut it into 4 slices, take 3, you've eaten 3/4 of it. The top number (numerator) is how many pieces you have. The bottom number (denominator) is how many pieces make the whole.
In 5/8, you have 5 parts out of 8 total.
Proper vs Improper Fractions
Proper fractions are less than 1. Like 3/4 or 2/5.
Improper fractions are 1 or more. Like 5/4 or 9/3. The numerator's bigger than the denominator. 5/4 equals 1.25. Nothing wrong with improper fractions - they're actually easier to work with when you're doing math.
Mixed Numbers
Mixed numbers combine a whole number and a fraction. 2 1/3 means 2 plus 1/3.
To convert: multiply the whole number by the denominator, add the numerator, keep the same denominator. So 2 1/3 becomes (2×3 + 1)/3 = 7/3.
Adding and Subtracting
You can't add fractions with different denominators directly. Like adding dollars and euros - convert to the same currency first.
Finding a Common Denominator
Want to add 1/4 + 1/6? Both fractions need the same denominator first.
Find the LCM of 4 and 6, which is 12. Convert both: 1/4 = 3/12 and 1/6 = 2/12. Now add: 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12. See how that works?
Add 2/3 + 1/2. LCM of 3 and 2 is 6. Convert: 2/3 = 4/6 and 1/2 = 3/6. Add them: 4/6 + 3/6 = 7/6 (or 1 1/6 as a mixed number).
Subtracting Fractions
Same process, just subtract instead of add.
3/4 - 1/3? Find common denominator (12). Convert: 9/12 - 4/12 = 5/12.
Multiplying and Dividing
Multiplying Fractions
Multiplication's easier than addition in one way - no common denominator needed.
Just multiply straight across. Numerator times numerator, denominator times denominator. Then simplify.
2/3 × 4/5? Multiply across: (2×4)/(3×5) = 8/15.
Dividing Fractions
Dividing by a fraction? Flip the second fraction and multiply instead. (Sounds weird, but it works.)
So 2/3 ÷ 4/5 becomes 2/3 × 5/4 = 10/12 = 5/6.
How many 1/4-cup servings in 1/2 cup? 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 4/2 = 2 servings.
When You'll Use This
Recipe calls for 2/3 cup of flour but you're halving it. That's 2/3 ÷ 2 = 1/3 cup.
Building stuff: Stack a 3/4 inch board on 1/2 inch plywood. Total thickness? 3/4 + 1/2 = 5/4 = 1 1/4 inches.
Splitting a $60 dinner bill - you're paying 2/3 of it. 60 × 2/3 = $40.
Got 42 out of 50 questions right on a test? That's 42/50 = 21/25, which is 84%.
Sewing patterns: Need 3/8 yard of fabric, but the pattern calls for adding 1/4 yard for seam allowance. You'll buy 5/8 yard total. (Makes sense when you convert both to eighths first.)
Converting Fractions
Fraction to Decimal
Divide the top by the bottom. 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75.
Some fractions give repeating decimals. 1/3 = 0.333... (goes on forever). 2/3 = 0.666...
Decimal to Fraction
Count the decimal places. Put the number over the matching power of 10, then simplify.
0.75 has two decimal places → 75/100 → simplifies to 3/4.
0.625 has three places → 625/1,000 → 5/8.
Fraction to Percentage
Convert to decimal, multiply by 100, add the % sign. 3/4 = 0.75 = 75%.
Common Questions
Can I use negative fractions?
Sure. Just put the minus sign in the numerator.
How accurate are the calculations?
Totally accurate. It calculates exact fractions instead of rounded decimals, so 1/3 stays as 1/3 (not 0.33).
What if I get an error?
Check if you put zero in a denominator - that's usually it. Or your numbers might be too big (over 999,999).
Can it handle mixed numbers?
Yep. Convert to improper first using the Mixed to Improper operation. Then calculate. Or if you already know the improper fraction, just enter it directly.
What's with the repeating decimals?
Some fractions can't be written as neat decimals. 1/3 = 0.333... forever. The calculator detects these and shows the dots.