Fraction Calculator - Calculation: 1/2:1/3

Fraction calculator Enter fraction expression: 1/2:1/3 This calculator divides fractions. The first step makes the reciprocal value of the second fraction - exchange numerator and denominator of 2nd fraction. Then multiply both numerators and place the result over the product of both denominators. Then simplify the result to the lowest terms or a mixed number.

The result:

1/2 : 1/3 = 3/2 = 1 1/2 = 1.5

The result spelled out in words is three halves (or one and a half).

How do we solve fractions step by step?

1. Divide: 1/2 : 1/3 = 1/2 · 3/1 = 1 · 3/2 · 1 = 3/2 Dividing two fractions is the same as multiplying the first fraction by the reciprocal value of the second fraction. The first sub-step is to find the reciprocal (reverse the numerator and denominator, reciprocal of 1/3 is 3/1) of the second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.In other words, one half divided by one third equals three halves.

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - write a forward slash to separate the numerator and the denominator, i.e., for five-hundredths, enter 5/100. If you use mixed numbers, leave a space between the whole and fraction parts. Mixed numerals (mixed numbers or fractions) - keep one space between the whole part and fraction and use a forward slash to input fraction i.e., 1 2/3 . A negative mixed fraction write for example as -5 1/2. A slash is both a sign for fraction line and division, use a colon (:) for division fractions i.e., 1/2 : 1/3. Decimals (decimal numbers) enter with a decimal dot . and they are automatically converted to fractions - i.e. 1.45.

Math Symbols

Op	Symbol name	Symbol Meaning	Example
+	plus sign	addition	1/2 + 1/3
-	minus sign	subtraction	1 1/2 - 2/3
*	asterisk	multiplication	2/3 * 3/4
×	times sign	multiplication	2/3 × 5/6
:	division sign	division	1/2 : 3
/	division slash	division	1/3 / 5
:	colon	complex fraction	1/2 : 1/3
^	caret	exponentiation / power	1/4^3
()	parentheses	calculate expression inside first	-3/5 - (-1/4)

Examples:

• adding fractions: 2/4 + 3/4• subtracting fractions: 2/3 - 1/2• multiplying fractions: 7/8 * 3/9• dividing Fractions: 1/2 : 3/4• reciprocal of a fraction: 1 : 3/4• square of a fraction: 2/3 ^ 2• cube of a fraction: 2/3 ^ 3• exponentiation of a fraction: 1/2 ^ 4• fractional exponents: 16 ^ 1/2• adding fractions and mixed numbers: 8/5 + 6 2/7• dividing integer and fraction: 5 ÷ 1/2• complex fractions: 5/8 : 2 2/3• decimal to fraction: 0.625• Fraction to Decimal: 1/4• Fraction to Percent: 1/8 %• comparing fractions: 1/4 2/3• square root of a fraction: sqrt(1/16)• expression with brackets: 1/3 * (1/2 - 3 3/8)• compound fraction: 3/4 of 5/7• fractions multiple: 2/3 of 3/5• divide to find the quotient: 3/5÷2/3 The calculator follows well-known rules for the order of operations. The most common mnemonics for remembering this order are:

• PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
• BEDMAS: Brackets, Exponents, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
• BODMAS: Brackets, Order (or "Of"), Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.
• GEMDAS: Grouping symbols (brackets: (){}), Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction.
• MDAS: Multiplication and Division (same precedence), Addition and Subtraction (same precedence). MDAS is a subset of PEMDAS.

Important Notes: 1. Multiplication/Division vs. Addition/Subtraction: Always perform multiplication and division *before* addition and subtraction. 2. Left-to-Right Rule: Operators with the same precedence (e.g., + and -, or * and /) must be evaluated from left to right.

Fractions in word problems:

• Money - parts What part of €24 is €12, €4, €8, €1, €18, €20?
• 7 athletes Seven athletes run a combined total of 4 miles. How many miles did each athlete run?
• A ribbon Bree has a piece of ribbon that is 6 inches long. She needs to cut it into equal pieces measuring 3/4 of an inch. How many pieces will she have? Answer in simplest form

more math problems »

Last Modified: November 19, 2025

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