Add, subtract, multiply, or divide fractions — results are simplified automatically.
A fraction represents a part of a whole, written as one number (the numerator) over another (the denominator) — for example, 3/4 means 3 parts out of 4 equal parts. Fractions show up constantly in cooking measurements, construction, finance, and any time a quantity needs to be split into equal pieces.
A fraction is simplified (or "in lowest terms") when the numerator and denominator share no common factor other than 1. This calculator automatically simplifies every result.
To simplify, find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator, then divide both by it.
| Fraction | GCD | Simplified |
|---|---|---|
| 8/12 | 4 | 2/3 |
| 10/15 | 5 | 2/3 |
| 24/36 | 12 | 2/3 |
| 9/6 | 3 | 3/2 |
Find a common denominator (usually the least common multiple of both denominators), convert each fraction to that denominator, then add the numerators. For example, 1/4 + 1/6 = 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12.
Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal (flip) of the second fraction. For example, 1/2 divided by 3/4 equals 1/2 times 4/3, which equals 4/6, simplified to 2/3.
Divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD). For example, 8/12 has a GCD of 4, so dividing both by 4 gives the simplified fraction 2/3.