How do you simplify a fraction?

Find the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator, then divide both by it. Example: 12/18 → GCD(12,18) = 6 → 12/6 = 2, 18/6 = 3 → simplified to 2/3.

How do you add fractions with different denominators?

Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD), convert both fractions, then add the numerators. Example: 1/3 + 1/4 → LCD = 12 → 4/12 + 3/12 = 7/12.

What is 3/4 as a decimal?

3/4 = 0.75 as a decimal. Divide the numerator by the denominator: 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75.

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Fraction Simplifier

Simplify fractions to lowest terms, add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions, and convert between fractions and decimals. Includes step-by-step explanation. Free, no signup.

Fraction Calculator

SIMPLIFIED FRACTION

= 0.6667

RESULT

= 0.5833

−

RESULT

= 0.4167

RESULT

= 0.5

RESULT

= 0.8333

How to Simplify Fractions

A fraction is in its simplest (or lowest) form when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1. The key to simplifying is finding the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD) — the largest number that divides both values evenly.

Step-by-step simplification

Find the GCD of numerator and denominator using the Euclidean algorithm or by listing factors
Divide both numerator and denominator by the GCD
The result is the simplified fraction

Example: Simplify 24/36 → Factors of 24: 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,24. Factors of 36: 1,2,3,4,6,9,12,18,36. GCD = 12. Divide both: 24/12 = 2, 36/12 = 3. Result: 2/3.

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

You can only add or subtract fractions with the same denominator (bottom number). When denominators differ, you must first find the Least Common Multiple (LCM) — also called the Least Common Denominator (LCD).

Example: 1/4 + 1/6. LCM of 4 and 6 = 12. Convert: 3/12 + 2/12 = 5/12.

Multiplying fractions

Multiply numerators together, then denominators together, then simplify. No need to find a common denominator: 2/3 × 3/4 = (2×3)/(3×4) = 6/12 = 1/2.

Dividing fractions

Flip the second fraction (take its reciprocal) and multiply: 2/3 ÷ 4/5 = 2/3 × 5/4 = 10/12 = 5/6.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1/2 + 1/3?

1/2 + 1/3 = 3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6 ≈ 0.8333. The LCD of 2 and 3 is 6. Convert 1/2 to 3/6 and 1/3 to 2/6, then add numerators: 3+2 = 5. Result: 5/6.

How do I convert a fraction to a percentage?

Divide the numerator by the denominator, then multiply by 100. Example: 3/8 = 3 ÷ 8 = 0.375 × 100 = 37.5%. Our calculator shows the decimal equivalent automatically.

What does it mean for a fraction to be in lowest terms?

A fraction is in lowest terms (simplest form) when the greatest common divisor of the numerator and denominator is 1 — meaning no number other than 1 divides evenly into both. For example, 2/3 is in lowest terms because GCD(2,3) = 1. But 4/6 is not, because GCD(4,6) = 2 — it simplifies to 2/3.