Dividing Fractions Calculator
Divide one fraction by another by multiplying by the reciprocal, with the quotient reduced to lowest terms, as a mixed number and decimal.
Quotient in lowest terms
2/3
Before reducing the quotient is 4/6.
As a mixed number
2/3
As a decimal
0.666666666667
Step by step
- Flip the second fraction to its reciprocal: 3/4 → 4/3
- Now multiply: 1/2 × 4/3
- Numerators 1 × 4 = 4, denominators 2 × 3 = 6
- Reduce 4/6 → 2/3
How it works
Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal — you flip the second fraction upside down and multiply. So 1/2 ÷ 3/4 becomes 1/2 × 4/3. Multiply across the tops and bottoms and you get 4/6, which reduces to 2/3.
The 'keep, flip, multiply' rhythm is why this tool shows the reciprocal step first: it swaps the numerator and denominator of the divisor, then runs the multiplication. The raw quotient is reduced by its greatest common factor, and you also get the mixed-number and decimal forms.
One thing you can't do is divide by a fraction that equals zero, because its reciprocal would need to divide by zero. If you set the second fraction's top to 0, the tool shows a dash instead of a bogus answer. Negative fractions are handled with the usual sign rules.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I flip the second fraction?
Dividing by a number is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. Flipping 3/4 to 4/3 turns the division into a multiplication, which is far easier to compute — this is the classic keep-flip-multiply rule.
Can I divide by zero?
No. If the second fraction equals zero (its numerator is 0), there's no reciprocal to multiply by, so division isn't defined. The calculator shows a dash rather than a wrong or infinite result.
Does the order of the two fractions matter?
Yes. Division isn't symmetric — 1/2 ÷ 3/4 is not the same as 3/4 ÷ 1/2. The first box is the fraction being divided, and the second is what you're dividing by.