Fraction Calculator
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions with step-by-step solutions
Understanding Fractions and How to Calculate Them
A fraction represents a part of a whole. It consists of two numbers: the numerator (top), which tells us how many parts we have, and the denominator (bottom), which tells us how many equal parts the whole is divided into.
Fundamental Operations
Performing math with fractions requires following specific rules for each operation:
- Addition & Subtraction: If denominators are different, you must find a common denominator (often using the Least Common Multiple) before combining the numerators.
- Multiplication: Simply multiply the numerators together and the denominators together.
- Division: Multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal (inverse) of the second fraction.
Simplifying Fractions
Our tool uses the Euclidean algorithm to find the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) and reduce results to their simplest form, making the final answer much easier to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why can't the denominator be zero?
In mathematics, division by zero is undefined. Since a fraction is essentially a division operation, having a zero as the denominator would make the value impossible to determine.
Privacy & Security
Your mathematical data is yours alone. Octovelo processes all calculations locally on your device via JavaScript. No numerical inputs are ever transmitted to or stored on our servers.