Fraction Calculator
Perform arithmetic operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide) on fractions and simplify results.
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The Fraction Calculator is a comprehensive tool designed to simplify arithmetic operations with fractions. Whether you're a student tackling math homework, a chef adjusting recipes, or a DIY enthusiast working on a project, our calculator provides accurate results for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions.
🧮 How to Use the Fraction Calculator
Using the calculator is straightforward:
- Enter the First Fraction: Input the numerator (top number) and the denominator (bottom number) of your first fraction.
- Select the Operation: Choose the arithmetic operation (+, −, ×, ÷) from the dropdown menu.
- Enter the Second Fraction: Input the numerator and denominator of your second fraction.
- Calculate: Click the "Calculate Fraction" button.
The calculator will display a step-by-step visual calculation and the final simplified result. Denominators cannot be zero, and the calculator will notify you of any invalid inputs or operations like division by a zero fraction. For more complex inputs, try our Mixed Numbers Calculator.
🔢 Understanding Fraction Operations
Here's a quick reminder of how basic fraction arithmetic works:
- Addition (a/b + c/d): Find a common denominator (BD), then calculate as (AD + BC) / BD.
- Subtraction (a/b - c/d): Find a common denominator (BD), then calculate as (AD - BC) / BD.
- Multiplication (a/b × c/d): Multiply the numerators together and the denominators together: (A × C) / (B × D).
- Division (a/b ÷ c/d): Invert the second fraction and multiply: (A × D) / (B × C). Remember, C cannot be zero.
Our calculator handles these operations and then simplifies the result to its lowest terms by finding the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of the resulting numerator and denominator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is an improper fraction?
- An improper fraction is one where the numerator (the top number) is greater than or equal to the denominator (the bottom number), such as 5/4 or 7/3.
- How does the calculator simplify fractions?
- It finds the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of the numerator and the denominator, and then divides both by this number. For example, for 10/15, the GCD is 5, so the simplified fraction is (10÷5)/(15÷5) = 2/3.
- Can I use negative numbers?
- Yes, you can enter negative integers in the numerator fields to perform calculations with negative fractions.