4.2 Fractions

A fraction is a ratio of two integers. Fractions are traditionally written “2/3” but Calc uses the notation ‘2:3’. (The / key performs RPN division; the following two sequences push the number ‘2:3’ on the stack: 2 : 3 RET, or 2 RET 3 / assuming Fraction mode has been enabled.) When the Calculator produces a fractional result it always reduces it to simplest form, which may in fact be an integer.

Fractions may also be entered in a three-part form, where ‘2:3:4’ represents two-and-three-quarters. See Fraction Formats, for fraction display formats.

Non-decimal fractions are entered and displayed as ‘radix#num:denom’ (or in the analogous three-part form). The numerator and denominator always use the same radix.

Fractions may also be entered with ⁄ (U+2044 FRACTION SLASH) in place of any :. Precomposed fraction characters from ½ (U+00BD VULGAR FRACTION ONE HALF) through ⅞ (U+215E VULGAR FRACTION SEVEN EIGHTHS) are supported as well. Thus, ‘2:3’, ‘2⁄3’, and ‘⅞’ are all equivalent.