1. What is the Fractions Calculator?

This calculator computes the sum of two fractions, where the first fraction is negative (-a/b) and the second fraction is positive (c/d). It handles both positive and negative numerators while ensuring denominators are positive.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( a \) — Numerator of first fraction (can be positive or negative)
• \( b \) — Denominator of first fraction (must be positive)
• \( c \) — Numerator of second fraction (can be positive or negative)
• \( d \) — Denominator of second fraction (must be positive)

Explanation: The calculator first converts the fractions to decimal form, performs the addition, and then attempts to simplify the result back to fractional form if possible.

3. Importance of Fractions Calculation

Details: Understanding how to add positive and negative fractions is fundamental in algebra and appears in various real-world applications from physics to finance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all four values (a, b, c, d). Denominators (b and d) must be positive integers. The calculator will handle negative values in the numerators (a and c).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I enter negative denominators?
A: No, denominators must be positive numbers. The calculator will not accept zero or negative denominators.

Q2: How does the calculator simplify the result?
A: It attempts to find a common denominator that converts the decimal result back to a simplified fraction.

Q3: What if the result is an irrational number?
A: The calculator will show both the fractional approximation and the decimal value.

Q4: Can I use decimals in the input?
A: The calculator accepts decimal values for numerators (a and c) but denominators (b and d) should be whole numbers.

Q5: Why does the first fraction have a negative sign?
A: This calculator specifically handles the case of adding a negative fraction to a positive fraction, which is a common algebraic operation.