How do you simplify a fraction?

Find the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator, then divide both numbers by that GCD.

How do you divide two fractions?

Flip the second fraction upside down (its reciprocal) and multiply it by the first fraction.

What is an improper fraction vs a mixed number?

An improper fraction has a numerator larger than the denominator (like 7/3). A mixed number expresses the same value as a whole number plus a proper fraction (2 1/3).

Fraction Calculator

Enter two fractions and select an operation to add, subtract, multiply, or divide them instantly. Get your result as a simplified fraction, mixed number, and decimal value.

How to use this calculator

Select the operation: Addition (+), Subtraction (-), Multiplication (×), or Division (÷).
Enter the numerator and denominator for the first fraction.
Enter the numerator and denominator for the second fraction.
Read your answer as a simplified fraction, mixed number, and decimal value.

Formula & method

Standard Fraction Arithmetic Rules

a/b + c/d = (ad+bc)/bd · a/b − c/d = (ad−bc)/bd · a/b × c/d = ac/bd · a/b ÷ c/d = ad/bc

a, c = numerators; b, d = denominators (b, d ≠ 0). Results are simplified using GCD(num, den).

Example

1/2 + 1/4 = (1×4 + 1×2) / (2×4) = 6/8 = 3/4 (0.75).

Key insights

To add or subtract fractions, find a common denominator (often by multiplying denominators or using the LCM).
To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
To divide fractions, multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal (flipped version) of the second fraction.
Reducing a fraction to lowest terms involves dividing both numerator and denominator by their Greatest Common Divisor (GCD).
An improper fraction has a numerator larger than or equal to its denominator and can be converted to a mixed number.

How to interpret your result

Simplified Fraction

The result reduced to its lowest terms by cancelling all common factors between numerator and denominator.

Mixed Number Format

Combines a whole integer with a proper fraction (e.g. 5/4 = 1 1/4), making improper fractions easier to visualize.

Decimal Equivalent

The exact real number value obtained by dividing the numerator by the denominator.

Frequently asked questions

How do you simplify a fraction?: Find the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator, then divide both numbers by that GCD.
How do you divide two fractions?: Flip the second fraction upside down (its reciprocal) and multiply it by the first fraction.
What is an improper fraction vs a mixed number?: An improper fraction has a numerator larger than the denominator (like 7/3). A mixed number expresses the same value as a whole number plus a proper fraction (2 1/3).

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