Fraction Calculator - Calculation: 3/5-1/2

Fraction calculator Enter fraction expression: 3/5-1/2 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:

3/5 - 1/2 = 1/10 = 0.1

Spelled out: one tenth.

How do we solve fractions step by step?

1. Subtract: 3/5 - 1/2 = 3 · 2/5 · 2 - 1 · 5/2 · 5 = 6/10 - 5/10 = 6 - 5/10 = 1/10 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(5, 2) = 10. It is enough to find the common denominator (not necessarily the lowest) by multiplying the denominators: 5 × 2 = 10. In the following intermediate step, it cannot further simplify the fraction result by canceling.In other words, three fifths minus one half equals one tenth.

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.
• Chocolate bars Share 26 chocolate bars among 3 friends so that they all get the same amount of chocolate bar and there is nothing left over. How many chocolate bars will each friend get?
• Blank fraction Find unknown fraction: 3/5* blank=2/3
• Evaluate divisions Evaluate the following expression with divisions: 45 ÷ 45 ÷ 2/9
• Using fraction Ling is using fraction strips to add 2/3 and 7/12. The sum is one whole, plus how many twelfths?
• Peter multiplies Peter try to calculate: 3/4 x 2/3 He did 3x3 to get 9 and 4 x 2 to get 8. The final answer is 8/9. Can you explain the error and how to help? What is the correct answer?
• There 31 There are 600 students in the plaza. 2/5 of them are from USC. How many students are from USC?

more math problems »

Last Modified: January 30, 2026

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