FractionReference

Divide fractions

Flip the second fraction and multiply — the reciprocal rule, worked exactly.

Try: — fractions, mixed numbers and decimals all work, negatives included.

Common questions

How do I divide fractions?
Multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor — flip the second fraction and multiply: 1/2 ÷ 1/8 = 1/2 × 8/1 = 4.
Why does dividing by a fraction make things bigger?
Because division asks how many times the divisor fits. 1/8 fits into 1/2 four times, so 1/2 ÷ 1/8 = 4. Dividing by something smaller than 1 always gives more than you started with.
What about dividing by zero?
Undefined, here as everywhere. The page tells you so instead of inventing a number.
Where this comes from. Exact rational arithmetic on the values shown — fractions are pairs of integers until display, and inch–metric conversion uses 25.4 mm to the inch, exact by definition since 1959. See the full methodology.