Fraction 1
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Fraction 2
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Result
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Enter a fraction to reduce it to its simplest form.
Convert between mixed numbers and improper fractions.
Mixed number → Improper fraction
Whole
Improper fraction:
Improper fraction → Mixed number
Mixed number:
Decimal → Fraction
Fraction → Decimal
Simple fraction (e.g. 3/4)
Mixed fraction (e.g. 2 and 3/4)
Whole

Fraction Calculator — Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide Fractions

Enter two fractions, select an operation and the result appears with the simplified fraction, mixed number, decimal equivalent and a full step-by-step solution. Seven modes — add, subtract, multiply, divide, simplify, mixed number conversion and decimal conversion.

fraction solution for students - fraction calculator

How to Add Fractions

Adding fractions requires a common denominator — both fractions must have the same bottom number before the numerators can be added.
Same denominator: 2/5 + 1/5 = 3/5 — add numerators directly.
Different denominators:
Step 1: Find the LCM of the denominators. LCM of 4 and 6 = 12
Step 2: Convert both fractions. 1/4 = 3/12  ·  1/6 = 2/12
Step 3: Add the numerators. 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12
Step 4: Simplify if possible. GCD of 5 and 12 = 1 — already in simplest form.
Result: 1/4 + 1/6 = 5/12 = 0.4167

How to Subtract Fractions

Subtracting follows the same steps as addition — find the LCM, convert, subtract. The common mistake students make is when the first numerator is smaller than the second after converting.
Example where students go wrong: 1/3 − 1/2
LCM of 3 and 2 = 6 1/3 = 2/6  ·  1/2 = 3/6
2/6 − 3/6 = −1/6
The answer is negative — you subtracted a larger fraction from a smaller one. This trips up students who expect a positive result. The fraction calculator handles negative results automatically.

How to Multiply Fractions

Multiplying fractions is the simplest operation — multiply numerators together and denominators together. No common denominator needed.

Formula: a/b × c/d = (a×c) / (b×d)
Example: 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2

Cross-cancelling tip: Before multiplying, cancel any numerator with any denominator that share a common factor. In 2/3 × 3/4 the 3s cancel — leaving 2/1 × 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2. This keeps numbers smaller and avoids simplifying at the end.

How to Divide Fractions

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal — flip the second fraction and multiply.
Formula: a/b ÷ c/d = a/b × d/c

Example: 3/4 ÷ 1/2 Flip: 1/2 → 2/1 Multiply: 3/4 × 2/1 = 6/4 = 3/2 = 1½

The memory aid: Keep, Change, Flip — keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, flip the second fraction.

Decimal to Fraction Conversion – Using fraction calculator

Count the decimal places, use 10^places as the denominator, then simplify.

Example: 0.75 → 2 decimal places → 75/100 → GCD = 25 → 3/4

Common conversions:

Decimal

Fraction

0.1

1/10

0.125

1/8

0.25

1/4

0.333…

1/3

0.5

1/2

0.666…

2/3

0.75

3/4

0.875

7/8

How to Simplify Fractions

A fraction is in simplest form when the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1. Divide both by their GCD.

Example: 18/24

GCD of 18 and 24 = 6 18 ÷ 6 = 3  ·  24 ÷ 6 = 4 18/24 = 3/4

Quick check: If both numbers are even divide by 2 and repeat. Then check divisibility by 3, 5, 7 in turn. Stop when no common factor remains.

Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions

A mixed number combines a whole number and a fraction — like 2⅓. An improper fraction has a numerator larger than the denominator — like 7/3. Both represent the same value.

Mixed → Improper: Multiply the whole number by the denominator, add the numerator. 2⅓: (2 × 3) + 1 = 7 → 7/3

Improper → Mixed: Divide numerator by denominator. Quotient = whole number, remainder = new numerator. 7 ÷ 3 = 2 remainder 1 → 2⅓

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Frequently Asked Questions

The numerator is the top number in a fraction — it shows how many parts you have. The denominator is the bottom number — it shows how many equal parts make up the whole. In 3/4 the numerator is 3 and the denominator is 4, meaning you have 3 out of 4 equal parts. The denominator can never be zero because you cannot divide something into zero parts.

The numerator counts the parts you have. The denominator defines the size of each part by telling you how many equal pieces the whole is split into. A larger denominator means smaller pieces — 1/8 is smaller than 1/4 even though both have the same numerator, because the whole is split into more pieces.

Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together — no common denominator needed. For example 2/3 × 3/4 = (2×3)/(3×4) = 6/12 = 1/2. You can also cross-cancel before multiplying to keep numbers smaller.

Flip the second fraction and multiply — this is called multiplying by the reciprocal. For example 3/4 ÷ 2/5 = 3/4 × 5/2 = 15/8 = 1⅞. Remember Keep, Change, Flip — keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, flip the second.

0.5 = 1/2. One decimal place means the denominator is 10: 5/10. Divide both by 5: 1/2.

0.75 = 3/4. Two decimal places means denominator is 100: 75/100. GCD = 25: 75÷25 = 3, 100÷25 = 4, giving 3/4.

0.25 = 1/4. Two decimal places: 25/100. GCD = 25: 25÷25 = 1, 100÷25 = 4, giving 1/4.

1/3 = 0.333… (0.3 recurring). It is a repeating decimal — the 3 continues infinitely. Rounded to 4 decimal places: 0.3333. Similarly 2/3 = 0.6666… and 1/6 = 0.1666…

Divide both the numerator and denominator by their GCD. To simplify 12/18: GCD of 12 and 18 is 6, so 12÷6 = 2 and 18÷6 = 3, giving 2/3. Use the Simplify tab in this fraction calculator for instant results with full working shown.

An improper fraction has a numerator greater than or equal to its denominator — for example 7/4 or 9/3. It represents a value of one whole or more. 7/4 = 1¾ as a mixed number. Use the Mixed Number tab to convert between the two forms instantly.

About This Fraction Calculator

This free fraction calculator is part of CalcDaysTime — a free suite of date, time and maths tools. All calculations run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to our servers, stored or shared with anyone.

Disclaimer: Results follow standard fraction arithmetic rules. Some teachers require specific methods — such as always finding the LCM rather than multiplying denominators directly. Always verify against your institution’s expected approach before submitting academic work.