Fraction Calculator

Enter two fractions and an operation. Addition and subtraction go over a common denominator, multiplication runs straight across, and division multiplies by the reciprocal. The answer is then reduced to lowest terms using the greatest common divisor of the top and bottom.

  • Accurate
  • Real-time
  • Easy to use
  • 100% free

Simplified fraction

5/6

Mixed number

5/6

Details

Updates as you type
<-50-2502550+

The top number of the first fraction.

<-100-50050100+

The bottom number of the first fraction. Cannot be zero.

<-5-2.502.55+

The top number of the second fraction.

<-20-1001020+

The bottom number of the second fraction. Cannot be zero.

Summary

Simplified fraction

5/6

Decimal value
0.833333
Mixed number
5/6
Before simplifying
50/60
Divided top and bottom by
10
  • Addition and subtraction use the product of the two denominators as a common denominator, then the answer is reduced with the Euclidean algorithm, so the result is always in lowest terms.
  • A negative sign is carried on the numerator, so -1/2 and 1/-2 give the same answer.
How this is calculated
First fraction
10/20
Operation
+
Second fraction
1/3

Combined result
50/60
Greatest common divisor
10
Simplified
5/6

Compare scenarios

See how one change moves the result

  • CurrentYour inputs as they stand5/6Current
  • First numerator1359/60
  • First denominator2511/15
  • Second numerator27/6

Frequently asked questions

How do you add two fractions with different denominators?

Rewrite both fractions over a shared denominator, add the numerators, and simplify. Multiplying the two denominators always gives a workable common denominator, and reducing at the end removes any extra factor it introduced.

How do you divide one fraction by another?

Flip the second fraction and multiply. Dividing by 2/3 is the same as multiplying by 3/2, which is why the second fraction cannot be zero: its numerator would end up in the denominator of the answer.

What does simplifying a fraction actually do?

It divides the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor, found here with the Euclidean algorithm. The value is unchanged, so 10/20 and 1/2 are the same number written with different sized pieces.

Why can a denominator never be zero?

A fraction means division, and dividing by zero has no defined answer: no number multiplied by zero returns the numerator. The calculator rejects a zero denominator rather than showing an infinite or undefined result.

How do I turn an improper fraction into a mixed number?

Divide the numerator by the denominator. The whole-number part of that division becomes the leading number and the remainder stays over the original denominator, so 7/3 becomes 2 and 1/3.

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