About the Fraction Calculator
This adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides two fractions, giving the answer in its simplest form along with the decimal and mixed-number equivalents. It's a genuine help for homework and anyone rusty on fraction arithmetic, and for practical jobs like scaling a recipe, splitting measurements, or working with imperial fractions of an inch. Enter the two fractions and pick an operation.
How it works — the rules
- Add / subtract: put both fractions over a common denominator, then add or subtract the numerators —
a⁄b ± c⁄d = (a·d ± c·b) ⁄ (b·d). - Multiply: multiply straight across —
a⁄b × c⁄d = (a·c) ⁄ (b·d). - Divide: multiply by the reciprocal —
a⁄b ÷ c⁄d = (a·d) ⁄ (b·c).
The result is then reduced to lowest terms using the greatest common divisor, and shown as a simplified fraction, a mixed number where appropriate, and a decimal.
Assumptions and behaviour
- Numerators and denominators are whole numbers (negatives allowed).
- The answer is always reduced to simplest form, with the sign moved to the numerator.
- If the result is an improper fraction, the mixed-number form is also shown.
- A denominator of zero is rejected, since a fraction can't have a zero denominator.
Limitations
- It works with two fractions at a time; chain operations by taking the result forward manually.
- It expects whole-number numerators and denominators, not decimal or nested fractions — enter mixed numbers as improper fractions (2½ as 5/2).
- The decimal is rounded for display; the fraction form is exact.
- Dividing by a fraction with a zero numerator (dividing by zero) isn't valid and is flagged.
Privacy
The calculation runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.
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