How to use the dividing fractions calculator
Type the fraction to divide, then the fraction to divide by, and press Calculate. Tick Mixed numbers for values like 3 1/3.
How to divide fractions: keep, change, flip
- Keep the first fraction.
- Change ÷ to ×.
- Flip the second fraction (use its reciprocal), then multiply.
\frac{a}{b} \div \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a}{b} \times \frac{d}{c} \qquad \frac{3}{4} \div \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{1} = \frac{6}{4} = 1\frac{1}{2}Why it works: dividing by 1/2 asks “how many halves fit?”. Three quarters holds one and a half halves – the same as multiplying by 2.
Mixed numbers and whole numbers
- Change mixed numbers to improper fractions first: 3 1/3 ÷ 1 1/4 = 10/3 ÷ 5/4 = 10/3 × 4/5 = 8/3 = 2 2/3.
- A whole number is over 1, so 3/4 ÷ 3 = 3/4 × 1/3 = 1/4.
You cannot divide by zero: a fraction with 0 on top has no reciprocal.
Worked examples
Frequently asked questions
How do you divide fractions?
Keep the first fraction, change ÷ to ×, and flip the second fraction: 3/4 ÷ 1/2 = 3/4 × 2/1 = 6/4 = 1 1/2.
What does keep, change, flip mean?
Keep the first fraction, change division to multiplication, flip the second fraction upside down.
How do you divide a fraction by a whole number?
Write the whole number over 1 and flip it: 2/3 ÷ 4 = 2/3 × 1/4 = 1/6.
How do you divide mixed numbers?
Change them to improper fractions, then keep, change, flip.
Why is dividing by a fraction the same as multiplying by its reciprocal?
Because a fraction times its reciprocal is 1, so multiplying by the reciprocal undoes the division.