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Fraction calculator

Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions, simplified.

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Quick answer

Enter two fractions and choose an operation. 1/2 + 1/3 = 5/6, which is 0.8333 as a decimal.

Answer

5/6

Mixed number
5/6
Decimal
0.833333

How it works

To add or subtract fractions, give them the same denominator first; the calculator does this by cross-multiplying.

To multiply, multiply the tops and the bottoms. To divide, flip the second fraction and multiply.

The answer is always reduced to lowest terms and also shown as a mixed number.

The formula

  • a/b + c/d = (ad + bc) รท bd, a/b โˆ’ c/d = (ad โˆ’ bc) รท bd
  • a/b ร— c/d = ac รท bd, a/b รท c/d = ad รท bc
  • Then divide top and bottom by their greatest common divisor

A worked example

1/2 + 1/3 = (1 ร— 3 + 1 ร— 2) รท (2 ร— 3) = 5/6. The decimal is 0.833333.

Common questions

How do I add fractions with different denominators?

Rewrite them over a common denominator, add the numerators, then simplify. 1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6.

How do I simplify a fraction?

Divide the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor. 6/8 becomes 3/4.

How do I divide by a fraction?

Multiply by its reciprocal. 1/2 รท 1/4 = 1/2 ร— 4/1 = 2.

What is a mixed number?

A whole number with a fraction, such as 1 1/2, which equals 3/2.