Fraction Calculator
Perform arithmetic on two fractions and see the result as a simplified fraction and decimal.
Input Information
Result
Enter fractions to calculate
Fraction Calculator performs arithmetic operations (+, -, ×, ÷) between two fractions and displays the result as both a simplified fraction and a decimal.
Fractions are used to express values that cannot be represented as whole numbers, where the denominator represents the whole and the numerator represents the part.
This calculator automatically simplifies the result to a reduced fraction (divided by the GCD of numerator and denominator) for the simplest form.
Term Glossary
- Fraction
- A number representing parts of a whole divided into equal pieces. E.g., 3/4 means 3 out of 4 parts.
- Numerator
- The top number in a fraction, indicating how many parts are taken.
- Denominator
- The bottom number in a fraction, indicating into how many equal parts the whole is divided. Cannot be zero.
- Reduced Fraction
- A fraction where the numerator and denominator have been divided by their GCD so it cannot be simplified further.
- 1
Enter two fractions
Enter the numerator and denominator for the first and second fractions. The denominator cannot be zero.
- 2
Choose an operation
Select the arithmetic operation to perform: addition (+), subtraction (−), multiplication (×), or division (÷).
- 3
Calculate
Press the calculate button to get the result of the operation. The calculator simplifies the result to a reduced fraction.
- 4
Read the result
Review the result in both fraction and decimal form. You can also check the improper or mixed fraction form if needed.
Example 1 — Addition
Compute 1/2 + 1/4. Using a common denominator: 2/4 + 1/4 = 3/4. So 1/2 + 1/4 = 3/4 = 0.75.
Example 2 — Multiplication
Compute 2/3 × 3/4. Multiply numerators and denominators: 6/12, which reduces to 1/2. So 2/3 × 3/4 = 1/2 = 0.5.
Example 3 — Division
Compute 3/4 ÷ 1/2. Multiply by the reciprocal: 3/4 × 2/1 = 6/4 = 3/2. So 3/4 ÷ 1/2 = 3/2 = 1.5.
Addition/Subtraction
When denominators differ: find LCM, then operate on numerators
Multiplication
Numerator × Numerator, Denominator × Denominator
Division
Division is converted to multiplication by the reciprocal
Simplification (GCD)
Divide by the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) to get the reduced fraction
Examples
Addition Example
Multiplication Example
Division Example
Useful Tips
- A fraction with a denominator of 0 is undefined. Always check the denominator.
- To convert a fraction to decimal, divide the numerator by the denominator.
- To convert an improper fraction (e.g., 7/3) to a mixed number (e.g., 2 1/3): quotient is the whole part, remainder is the new numerator.
- Finding a common denominator: multiply the numerator and denominator of each fraction by the other denominator.
QHow do you add fractions?
If the denominators are the same, add the numerators. If not, find a common denominator (LCM), then add the numerators. Example: 1/2 + 1/4 becomes 2/4 + 1/4 = 3/4. Simplify the result to a reduced fraction when possible.
QHow do you multiply fractions?
Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together: (a/b) × (c/d) = (a×c) / (b×d). Example: 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2. Multiplication does not require a common denominator.
QHow do you divide fractions?
Division is converted to multiplication by the reciprocal (flip the divisor): (a/b) ÷ (c/d) = (a/b) × (d/c). Example: 3/4 ÷ 1/2 = 3/4 × 2/1 = 6/4 = 3/2 = 1.5.
QWhat is the difference between improper and mixed fractions?
An improper fraction has a numerator greater than or equal to its denominator (e.g., 7/3). A mixed fraction combines a whole number and a proper fraction (e.g., 2 1/3). To convert an improper fraction to a mixed number, divide the numerator by the denominator: the quotient is the whole part and the remainder is the new numerator. 7/3 = 2 with remainder 1, so 2 1/3.
QHow do you convert a fraction to a decimal?
Divide the numerator by the denominator to convert to a decimal. Example: 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75. Some fractions give a finite decimal (e.g., 1/2 = 0.5), while others repeat infinitely (e.g., 1/3 = 0.333...). This calculator shows both the reduced fraction and decimal result.