Fraction Calculator - Calculation: 1/2-3/8

Fraction calculator Enter fraction expression: 1/2-3/8 This calculator subtracts two fractions. First, convert all fractions to a common denominator when fractions have different denominators. Find Least Common Denominator (LCD) or multiply all denominators to find a common denominator. When all denominators are the same, simply subtract the numerators and place the result over the common denominator. Then simplify the result to the lowest terms or a mixed number.

The result:

1/2 - 3/8 = 1/8 = 0.125

Spelled out: one eighth.

How do we solve fractions step by step?

1. Subtract: 1/2 - 3/8 = 1 · 4/2 · 4 - 3/8 = 4/8 - 3/8 = 4 - 3/8 = 1/8 It is suitable to adjust both fractions to a common (equal) denominator for subtracting fractions. The common denominator you can calculate as the least common multiple of both denominators - LCM(2, 8) = 8. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 2 × 8 = 16. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.In other words, one half minus three eighths equals one eighth.

Rules for expressions with fractions:

Fractions - Use a forward slash to separate the numerator and denominator. For example, for five-hundredths, enter 5/100. Mixed numbers Leave one space between the whole number and the fraction part, and use a forward slash for the fraction. For example, enter 1 2/3 . For negative mixed numbers, write the negative sign before the whole number, such as -5 1/2. Division of fractions - Since the forward slash is used for both fraction lines and division, use a colon (:) to divide fractions. For example, to divide 1/2 by 1/3, enter 1/2 : 1/3. Decimals Enter decimal numbers using a decimal point (.), and they will be automatically converted to fractions. For example, enter 1.45.

Math Symbols

Symbol	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• multiplying fractions: 2/3 of 3/5• divide to find the quotient: 3/5÷2/3 Order of Operations Ever wondered why calculators don't just work left to right? This calculator follows the mathematical order of operations — a set of rules that ensures everyone solves expressions the same way, every time. Popular Memory Tricks Different regions use different mnemonics to remember this order: * 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 (parentheses, brackets, braces: (){}), Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction The Golden Rules Rule 1: Multiplication and division always come before addition and subtraction. Think of them as the VIPs that skip to the front of the line! Rule 2: When operations have equal priority (like × and ÷, or + and −), work from left to right—just like reading a book. Rule 3: Parentheses change the natural order of evaluation of operations.

Fractions in word problems:

• Puzzle game In a letter puzzle game, John can use each letter of the alphabet only once. He used only 8 letters to solve the puzzle. What fraction of the 26 letters in the alphabet did he use? Express your answer as a fraction in simplest form.
• Reduce fractions The following fraction is reduced to its lowest terms except one. Which of these: A. 98/99 B. 73/179 C. 1/250 D. 81/729
• Simplify 12 Simplify {1/3 + 1/12} ÷ {2/3 - 5/8}
• Brown or black Max has 13 pairs of socks. From this, six pairs are blue, three pairs are brown, two are black, and two are white. What fraction of Max's socks are either brown or black?
• Denominator 2 The denominator of a fraction is five, and the numerator is 7. Write the fraction.
• In the cafeteria There are 18 students in Jacob's homeroom. Six students bring their lunch to school. The rest eat lunch in the cafeteria. In the simplest form, what fraction of students eat lunch in the cafeteria?
• Unsatisfactory samples In 1995, 360 fish samples were tested for contamination with foreign substances, and 138 samples were unsatisfactory. Write a fraction of what part of the fish did not meet the limits.

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Last Modified: January 30, 2026

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