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Fraction Calculator

Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions with steps.

Fraction Calculator

Enter two fractions and choose an operation. Results are simplified automatically with step-by-step working.

num / denom

num / denom

Result

Enter fractions and operation to see step-by-step working.

How the Fraction Calculator works

The Fraction Calculator performs the four basic arithmetic operations — addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division — on any two fractions. Enter the numerator and denominator of each fraction, choose the operation, and the calculator returns the simplified result along with step-by-step working that shows exactly how the answer was derived.

Fraction operation rules

Addition and subtraction

a/b ± c/d = (a×d ± c×b) / (b×d)

You need a common denominator. The simplest approach multiplies the two denominators together, though using the Least Common Multiple (LCM) gives smaller intermediate numbers.

Multiplication

a/b × c/d = (a×c) / (b×d)

Multiply numerators together and denominators together. This is the simplest fraction operation.

Division

a/b ÷ c/d = (a×d) / (b×c)

Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal (flip the second fraction).

Worked examples

Addition: 1/4 + 1/3 = (1×3 + 1×4) / (4×3) = 7/12. Already in simplest form.

Subtraction: 5/6 − 1/2 = (5×2 − 1×6) / (6×2) = 4/12. Simplify by GCD(4,12)=4: 1/3.

Multiplication: 2/3 × 4/5 = 8/15. Already simplest.

Division: 3/4 ÷ 2/5 = 3/4 × 5/2 = 15/8 = 1 7/8.

Simplifying fractions

After any operation, simplify the result by dividing both numerator and denominator by their Greatest Common Divisor (GCD). For example, 4/12 simplifies to 1/3 because GCD(4, 12) = 4, and 4÷4 = 1, 12÷4 = 3. The calculator performs this simplification automatically and shows the GCD in the working.

If the numerator is larger than the denominator (an improper fraction), the calculator also displays the equivalent mixed number. For example, 15/8 is shown as both 15/8 and 1 7/8. Mixed numbers are often easier to interpret in real-world contexts: "1 7/8 cups of flour" is more meaningful than "15/8 cups".

Frequently asked questions

Find a common denominator, convert each fraction, add the numerators, then simplify. Example: 1/4 + 1/3 = 3/12 + 4/12 = 7/12.

Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together. Example: 2/3 × 4/5 = (2×4)/(3×5) = 8/15. Always simplify the result.

Multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 × 5/4 = 10/12 = 5/6.

Find the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of numerator and denominator, then divide both by it. Example: 10/12, GCD(10,12) = 2, so 10/12 = 5/6.

Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions first. Example: 2 1/3 = (2×3+1)/3 = 7/3. Then perform the operation.

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