1. What is Fraction Addition/Subtraction?

Fraction addition and subtraction are fundamental arithmetic operations that combine two fractions into a single fraction. The operations require finding a common denominator before combining the numerators.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard fraction arithmetic formula:

Where:

• \( a \) — Numerator of first fraction
• \( b \) — Denominator of first fraction
• \( c \) — Numerator of second fraction
• \( d \) — Denominator of second fraction
• \( \pm \) — Addition or subtraction operation

Explanation: The calculator first finds a common denominator (bd), then combines the numerators accordingly, and finally simplifies the resulting fraction.

3. Mathematical Principles

Details: The key principle is that fractions can only be added/subtracted when they have the same denominator. The calculator automatically handles this by cross-multiplying to find equivalent fractions with a common denominator.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all four values (two numerators and two denominators), select the operation (addition or subtraction), and click calculate. The calculator will show both the fractional and decimal results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I get a negative result?
A: Negative results are valid and indicate the first fraction is smaller than the second when subtracting.

Q2: Can I use this for mixed numbers?
A: First convert mixed numbers to improper fractions before using this calculator.

Q3: What if denominators are the same?
A: The calculator still works correctly - it will simply add/subtract numerators while keeping the denominator.

Q4: Why does the result sometimes simplify?
A: The calculator automatically reduces fractions to their simplest form by dividing numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.

Q5: What if I enter zero for a denominator?
A: The calculator prevents division by zero by requiring denominators to be positive integers.