Fraction Calculator — All 4 Operations with Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the fraction answer?
Fraction Arithmetic — Instant Results
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide any two fractions. Shows simplified fraction, mixed number, decimal, percentage, step-by-step solution, and charts. Results update live as you type.
Quick Examples
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Denominator
Numerator
Denominator
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Fraction arithmetic trips up students and adults alike because each of the four operations works differently. Addition and subtraction require a common denominator first. Multiplication is direct — numerator times numerator, denominator times denominator. Division requires flipping the second fraction and multiplying. This calculator handles all four operations in one place: enter any two fractions, choose your operation, and get the simplified result as a fraction, mixed number, decimal, and percentage. No mental math required. The step-by-step tab shows exactly how the answer was reached — which common denominator was found, how numerators were converted, and what the GCD reduction was. Common uses include checking homework, scaling recipes (⅔ cup doubled is 1⅓ cups), woodworking measurements, and any situation where you need an exact fractional result rather than a rounded decimal. The calculator handles negative fractions and large numbers correctly. It is especially useful for students who need to see each step explained, not just the final answer.
- →Checking fraction homework or test answers
- →Scaling recipes that use fractional cup/tablespoon measurements
- →Adding fractional measurements in construction or woodworking
- →Converting between fraction, mixed number, and decimal forms
A recipe calls for 2/3 cup of flour and 3/4 cup of oats. To find the total, enter 2/3 + 3/4. The calculator finds the common denominator of 12, computes 8/12 + 9/12 = 17/12, and simplifies to 1 5/12 cups (decimal: 1.4167). The baker now knows exactly how much to measure and can verify the result with a decimal kitchen scale.
How do you add fractions with different denominators?
Find the least common multiple (LCM) of the two denominators. Convert both fractions to that denominator, then add the numerators. Example: 1/3 + 1/4 → LCM is 12 → 4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12. The calculator does this automatically.
How does fraction division work?
Dividing by a fraction equals multiplying by its reciprocal (flipped). So 3/4 ÷ 2/5 = 3/4 × 5/2 = 15/8 = 1 7/8. The calculator applies the 'flip and multiply' rule automatically.
What is a mixed number?
A mixed number has a whole part and a fractional part. For example, 7/4 = 1 3/4. Mixed numbers are easier to visualize in real-world contexts — 1 3/4 cups is clearer than 7/4 cups.
Can I enter negative fractions?
Yes — enter a negative sign before the numerator. The calculator handles sign rules correctly for all four operations, including cases where two negatives cancel out or where a negative divided by a negative yields a positive result. Negative mixed numbers are also supported.
What does 'simplified' mean?
A simplified fraction has no common factors between numerator and denominator other than 1. For example, 6/8 simplifies to 3/4 because both share a factor of 2. The calculator automatically applies the Greatest Common Divisor algorithm to reduce every result to its simplest form before displaying it.