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Fraction Calculator

Use this free online fraction calculator to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions with step-by-step solutions. Enter two fractions and select an operation.

Fraction Calculator

Fraction 1
Operation
Fraction 2

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Formula

a/b + c/d = (ad + bc) / bd

To add fractions, find a common denominator by cross-multiplying, then simplify the result.

Worked Example

1/3 + 2/5 Step 1: Cross multiply → (1×5 + 2×3) / (3×5) Step 2: (5 + 6) / 15 = 11/15 Result: 11/15

What Is a Fraction?

A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of a numerator (top number) showing how many parts you have, and a denominator (bottom number) showing how many equal parts make up the whole. Fractions are fundamental to mathematics and appear in everyday life from cooking to construction.
  • 1/2 means one out of two equal parts, or 50% of the whole
  • Fractions with the same value but different numbers are called equivalent fractions (1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6)
  • A proper fraction has a numerator smaller than its denominator (3/4), while an improper fraction has a larger numerator (5/3)
  • Mixed numbers combine a whole number with a fraction (1 1/2), and can be converted to improper fractions (3/2)

Understanding fractions is essential for working with recipes, measurements, probabilities, ratios, and algebra. Fraction operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide) follow specific rules that differ from whole number arithmetic.

You can also calculate changes using our Decimal to Fraction Calculator, Ratio Calculator or Proportion Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add fractions with different denominators?

Find the least common denominator (LCD), convert both fractions to equivalent fractions with the LCD, then add the numerators. For example, 1/3 + 1/4: LCD is 12, so 4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12.

How do I multiply fractions?

Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together: (a/b) × (c/d) = (ac)/(bd). For example, 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2.

How do I divide fractions?

Multiply by the reciprocal (flip the second fraction): (a/b) ÷ (c/d) = (a/b) × (d/c). For example, 2/3 ÷ 1/4 = 2/3 × 4/1 = 8/3.

How do I simplify a fraction?

Divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). For example, 12/18: GCD is 6, so 12/6 = 2 and 18/6 = 3, giving 2/3.

How do I convert a fraction to a decimal?

Divide the numerator by the denominator. For example, 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75. Some fractions produce repeating decimals, like 1/3 = 0.333...

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