Fraction Calculator

Q: How do you add fractions?

Use a common denominator, rewrite each fraction with that denominator, add the numerators, then simplify the result.

Q: How do you subtract fractions?

Use a common denominator, rewrite both fractions, subtract the numerators, and reduce the answer to lowest terms.

Q: How do you multiply fractions?

Multiply the numerators together, multiply the denominators together, then simplify the resulting fraction.

Q: How do you divide fractions?

Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction, then simplify.

Q: Does the fraction calculator simplify the result?

Yes. Every arithmetic result is reduced to lowest terms and also shows a mixed-number or decimal equivalent when useful.

Add, subtract, multiply, or divide two fractions and see the simplified answer with a decimal or mixed-number equivalent when useful.

Fraction Calculator

Fraction 3/4

Decimal 0.75

How it works

Formula and steps

The formula shows how the fraction calculator turns your inputs into the result. Use it to check the calculation, then follow the example steps to see each part of the math.

Formula & steps

Add or subtract fractions formula

\frac{a}{b} \pm \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a d \pm b c}{b d}

Use this when two fractions need a common denominator.

a/b= First fraction

c/d= Second fraction

bd= Common denominator made by multiplying denominators

Multiply fractions formula

\frac{a}{b} \times \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a c}{b d}

Use this when multiplying numerators together and denominators together.

a, c= Numerators

b, d= Denominators

ac / bd= Product before simplification

Divide fractions formula

\frac{a}{b} \div \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a}{b} \times \frac{d}{c}

Use this by multiplying by the reciprocal of the second fraction.

a/b= First fraction

c/d= Second fraction

d/c= Reciprocal of the second fraction

1Enter the numerator and denominator of both fractions.
2Choose add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
3Use a common denominator for addition or subtraction, multiply across for multiplication, or multiply by the reciprocal for division.
4Reduce the result to lowest terms.

Worked examples

Example 1

\frac{2}{7} + \frac{3}{8}

1
Find a common denominator
LCD(7, 8) = 56
2
Rewrite both fractions
$\frac{2}{7} = \frac{16}{56}, \frac{3}{8} = \frac{21}{56}$
3
Add the numerators
$\frac{16}{56} + \frac{21}{56} = \frac{37}{56}$

Example 2

\frac{3}{4} \div \frac{2}{5}

1
Flip the second fraction
$\frac{2}{5} \to \frac{5}{2}$
2
Multiply across
$\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{5}{2} = \frac{15}{8}$
3
Convert to a mixed number
$\frac{15}{8} = 1 \frac{7}{8}$

Common uses

Adding fractions
Subtracting fractions
Multiplying fractions
Dividing fractions

Common mistakes

Adding denominators directly instead of using a common denominator.
Dividing by a fraction without flipping the second fraction.
Forgetting to simplify the final answer.

Fraction guide

How to calculate fractions

Use this calculator to add, subtract, multiply, or divide two fractions. Each result is reduced to lowest terms and includes equivalent forms when useful.

Adding fractions

Find a common denominator, rewrite both fractions, add the numerators, and simplify the result.

Subtracting fractions

Use the same common-denominator process as addition, then subtract the rewritten numerators before reducing.

Multiplying fractions

Multiply numerator by numerator and denominator by denominator, then reduce the product to lowest terms.

Dividing fractions

Keep the first fraction, multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction, and simplify the result.

FAQ

How do you add fractions?

How do you subtract fractions?

How do you multiply fractions?

How do you divide fractions?

Does the fraction calculator simplify the result?

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