How do you multiply fractions?

To multiply fractions: multiply the numerators together and multiply the denominators together. Then simplify. Example: 2/3 × 3/4 = (2×3)/(3×4) = 6/12 = 1/2.

How do you divide fractions?

To divide fractions: multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second. Flip the second fraction and multiply. Example: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 × 5/4 = 10/12 = 5/6.

How do you add mixed numbers?

To add mixed numbers: convert both to improper fractions first (whole × denominator + numerator / denominator), then add the fractions using LCD, then convert back to a mixed number if needed.

½ Fractions

Fraction Calculator

Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers. Get step-by-step solutions, simplified answers, and decimal equivalents instantly.

Operation

Input mode

Enter fractions

Fraction 1

Fraction 2

Result

—Simplified

—Decimal

—Percentage

—Mixed Number

Step-by-step solution

Equivalent fractions

Simplify a fraction

How to work with fractions

A fraction represents a part of a whole: numerator/denominator. Operations on fractions follow specific rules depending on whether denominators are the same (like fractions) or different (unlike fractions). This calculator handles all cases automatically and shows every step.

Add/Subtract: Find LCD, convert, then add/subtract numerators
Multiply: (a/b) × (c/d) = (a×c) / (b×d)
Divide: (a/b) ÷ (c/d) = (a/b) × (d/c) = (a×d) / (b×c)
Simplify: Divide both by GCD | LCD = LCM of denominators

🔢 GCD & LCM

GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) is used to simplify fractions. LCM (Least Common Multiple) is used to find LCD for addition and subtraction. GCD(12,18)=6. LCM(4,6)=12.

½ Mixed numbers

Mixed number 2¾ = improper fraction 11/4 (2×4+3=11). Always convert to improper fractions before computing, then convert back. 11/4 = 2 remainder 3 = 2¾.

❌ Cross multiply

Shortcut for comparing fractions: a/b vs c/d — cross multiply: a×d vs b×c. Also useful: to check if two fractions are equal, cross products must be equal.

🎯 Proper vs improper

Proper fraction: numerator < denominator (3/4). Improper fraction: numerator ≥ denominator (7/4). A fraction with numerator 0 equals 0. Denominator can never be 0.

Frequently asked questions

How do you add fractions with different denominators?

Step 1: Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD = LCM of both denominators). Step 2: Convert each fraction: multiply numerator and denominator by LCD÷denominator. Step 3: Add the new numerators, keep the LCD as denominator. Step 4: Simplify by dividing by GCD. Example: 1/3 + 1/4 → LCD=12 → 4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12.

How do you multiply and divide fractions?

Multiply: multiply numerators × numerators, denominators × denominators, then simplify. 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2. Divide: flip the second fraction (take reciprocal) and multiply. 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 × 5/4 = 10/12 = 5/6. Tip: cross-cancel before multiplying to keep numbers small.

How do you simplify a fraction?

Find the GCD (Greatest Common Divisor) of the numerator and denominator using the Euclidean algorithm, then divide both by the GCD. Example: 24/36 → GCD(24,36)=12 → 24÷12 / 36÷12 = 2/3. A fraction is fully simplified when GCD of numerator and denominator is 1.

How do you convert a fraction to a decimal?

Divide the numerator by the denominator. 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75. 1/3 = 1 ÷ 3 = 0.333... (repeating). 7/8 = 0.875. Some fractions convert to terminating decimals (denominators with only 2 and 5 as prime factors). Others are repeating.