On a phone (iPhone or Android)
Built-in phone calculators work in decimals. Type each fraction as top ÷ bottom, and put brackets around each one so the order is right (on an iPhone, turn the phone sideways for the bracket keys).
{_tbl(["To work out", "Type", "Answer shown"], [ ["1/2 + 1/3", "(1 ÷ 2) + (1 ÷ 3)", "0.8333…"], ["2 1/2 × 3/4", "(2 + 1 ÷ 2) × (3 ÷ 4)", "1.875"], ["3/4 ÷ 2", "(3 ÷ 4) ÷ 2", "0.375"]])}To turn the decimal back into a fraction, use the decimal to fraction converter, or type the whole problem into the fraction calculator, which answers in fractions with every step.
On a scientific calculator
Most scientific calculators have a fraction key, labeled a b/c, n/d or a box over a box. Type the top number, press the fraction key, then type the bottom number. Answers then stay as fractions.
- TI-84 Plus and CE: press ALPHA then Y= and choose n/d. Full steps are in how to do fractions on a TI-84 Plus.
- Casio Natural Display models (fx-300ES Plus, fx-115ES Plus and similar): use the fraction key, and press S⇔D to switch the answer between a fraction and a decimal.
- Mixed numbers: many models have a mixed-number template, often on the shifted fraction key. Without one, type the whole number plus the fraction, in brackets.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out brackets: 1 ÷ 2 + 1 ÷ 3 works, but 1 ÷ 2 × 3 means (1 ÷ 2) × 3, not 1 ÷ 6.
- Typing a mixed number like 2 1/2 as "2 1 ÷ 2", which the calculator reads as 21 ÷ 2.
Every worked example on this page was checked with Calcist's own engine and an independent reference.