Fractions Calculator
Calculator Use
Use this fraction calculator for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions. Answers are fractions in lowest terms or mixed numbers in reduced form.
Input proper or improper fractions, select the math sign and click Calculate. This is a fraction calculator with steps shown in the solution.
If you have negative fractions insert a minus sign before the numerator. So if one of your fractions is -6/7, insert -6 in the numerator and 7 in the denominator.
Sometimes math problems include the word "of," as in What is 1/3 of 3/8? Of means you should multiply so you need to solve 1/3 × 3/8.
To do math with mixed numbers (whole numbers and fractions) use the Mixed Numbers Calculator.
Math on Fractions with Unlike Denominators
There are 2 cases where you need to know if your fractions have different denominators:
- if you are adding fractions
- if you are subtracting fractions
How to Add or Subtract Fractions
- Find the least common denominator
- You can use the LCD Calculator to find the least common denominator for a set of fractions
- For your first fraction, find what number you need to multiply the denominator by to result in the least common denominator
- Multiply the numerator and denominator of your first fraction by that number
- Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for each fraction
- For addition equations, add the fraction numerators
- For subtraction equations, subtract the fraction numerators
- Convert improper fractions to mixed numbers
- Reduce the fraction to lowest terms
Visit the CalculatorSoup® Channel on YouTube to watch these helpful video demos on adding and subtracting fractions.
Adding Fractions
Subtracting Fractions
- How to Subtract Fractions with the Same Denominator
- How to Subtract Fractions with Different Denominators
How to Multiply Fractions
- Multiply all numerators together
- Multiply all denominators together
- Reduce the result to lowest terms
Watch the CalculatorSoup video How to Multiply Fractions on YouTube!
How to Divide Fractions
- Rewrite the equation as in "Keep, Change, Flip"
- Keep the first fraction
- Change the division sign to multiplication
- Flip the second fraction by switching the top and bottom numbers
- Multiply all numerators together
- Multiply all denominators together
- Reduce the result to lowest terms
Watch the CalculatorSoup video How to Divide Fractions on YouTube!
Fraction Formulas
There is a way to add or subtract fractions without finding the least common denominator (LCD). This method involves cross multiplication of the fractions. See the formulas below.
You may find that it is easier to use these formulas than to do the math to find the least common denominator.
The formulas for multiplying and dividing fractions follow the same process as described above.
Adding Fractions
The formula for adding fractions is:
Example steps:
Subtracting Fractions
The formula for subtracting fractions is:
Example steps:
Multiplying Fractions
The formula for multiplying fractions is:
Example steps:
Dividing Fractions
The formula for dividing fractions is:
Example steps:
Related Calculators
To perform math operations on mixed number fractions use our Mixed Numbers Calculator. This calculator can also simplify improper fractions into mixed numbers and shows the work involved.
If you want to simplify an individual fraction into lowest terms use our Simplify Fractions Calculator. Be sure to check out the CalculatorSoup® YouTube channel to see a video on How to Simplify Fractions.
For an explanation of how to factor numbers to find the greatest common factor (GCF) see the Greatest Common Factor Calculator.
If you are simplifying large fractions by hand you can use the Long Division with Remainders Calculator to find whole number and remainder values.