Supercharge Your Math Class with the Best Math App

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Mathway
   1. Algebra 1
   2. Geometry
   3. Algebra 2 and Trig
   4. Precalc
   5. Calculus
   6. Pros and Cons of Mathway
3. Photomath
   1. Algebra 1
   2. Geometry
   3. Algebra 2 and Trig
   4. Precalc
   5. Calculus
   6. Pros and Cons of Photomath
4. Socratic
   1. Algebra 1
   2. Geometry
   3. Algebra 2 and Trig
   4. Precalc
   5. Calculus
   6. Pros and Cons of Socratic
5. Conclusion

Introduction

In today's digital age, students have access to various math apps that claim to assist with solving math problems. Three popular math apps that we will be reviewing are Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic. These apps allow users to take a photo of a math problem and receive assistance in solving it. Throughout this article, we will test these apps with different types of math problems, ranging from algebra to calculus, in order to determine which one is the most useful.

Mathway

Mathway is a free app developed by Chegg, a well-known education company. It boasts a high rating on both the Google Play and Apple app stores, indicating its legitimacy. Upon opening Mathway, users are introduced to its features, which include the ability to Type, take a photo, or even speak their math problems. However, while Mathway provides the correct answers to problems, it requires a premium license for a monthly fee in order to access the step-by-step solutions. This limitation may not be ideal for students who cannot afford the subscription. Additionally, Mathway's performance in recognizing geometry problems is less than satisfactory, as it struggles to interpret diagrams accurately.

Algebra 1

In the case of algebra 1 problems, Mathway is capable of recognizing and providing answers to linear equations. However, it falls short when it comes to displaying the necessary steps for solving the problem, which is essential for understanding the concepts thoroughly.

Geometry

Mathway's limitations become evident when dealing with geometry problems. It fails to comprehend diagrams, making it ineffective for addressing geometry-related questions that involve visual representations. The app's inability to adapt to non-textbook questions further decreases its usefulness in this subject area.

Algebra 2 and Trig

Mathway does recognize algebra 2 and trig problems, such as factoring expressions or verifying trigonometric identities. However, like previous cases, it fails to provide the step-by-step solutions, hindering the learning process for students.

Precalc

When it comes to precalculus problems, Mathway can identify matrices and evaluate indefinite integrals. However, similar to its previous shortcomings, it lacks in providing comprehensive steps, limiting its effectiveness in helping students understand the intricacies of the problems.

Calculus

Mathway performs moderately well in tackling calculus problems, as it successfully shows the necessary steps for solving indefinite integrals through methods like integration by parts. While the app does provide formulas and answers, the lack of a detailed step-by-step explanation can be frustrating for users who require a deeper understanding of the problem-solving process.

Pros and Cons of Mathway

Pros:

• Free to download and use
• Recognizes a wide range of math problems
• Provides correct answers

Cons:

• Requires a premium license for step-by-step solutions
• Struggles with geometry problems
• Limited explanation of problem-solving steps

Overall, Mathway's recognition capabilities are commendable, but its drawbacks, such as the absence of detailed explanations without a premium license and difficulties with geometry problems, make it less preferable for students seeking comprehensive math assistance.

Photomath

Photomath is another popular math app that specializes in scanning and solving problems. It has a high rating on both Google Play and the Apple app store, showcasing its user satisfaction. Like Mathway, Photomath is available as a free download but also offers premium options.

Algebra 1

Photomath performs impressively in algebra 1, as it not only recognizes the problems accurately but also provides step-by-step explanations of the solutions. The app excels in presenting clear and concise explanations, which greatly aids in comprehension.

Geometry

Photomath showcases its ability to recognize specific geometry problems, even from textbooks, and offers explanations for solving them. While it may struggle with problems drawn separately on a sheet of paper, it consistently delivers clear explanations for textbook-Based questions.

Algebra 2 and Trig

Photomath continues its strong performance in algebra 2 and trigonometry, as it addresses a variety of problems with detailed step-by-step solutions. While the explanations may not be as comprehensive as those in a textbook, they are still sufficient for most students to grasp the concepts.

Precalc

Photomath shines in precalculus, effectively recognizing matrices and providing clear explanations for solving problems related to matrix multiplication and finding inverses. The app's detailed step-by-step instructions enhance the learning experience for students.

Calculus

In calculus, Photomath impresses with its ability to tackle complex problems, such as evaluating integrals using methods like integration by parts. It lays out each step with Clarity, ensuring that users understand the entire problem-solving process.

Pros and Cons of Photomath

Pros:

• Free to download and use
• Accurately recognizes math problems, including geometry
• Provides comprehensive step-by-step explanations
• Offers high-quality explanations for textbook-based questions

Cons:

• May struggle with non-textbook geometry problems

Overall, Photomath's ability to recognize and explain various math problems, as well as its user-friendly interface, makes it a top choice among students looking for reliable math assistance.

Socratic

Socratic, developed by Google, offers assistance across multiple subjects, including math, science, language arts, and history. In this review, we will focus solely on its math capabilities. While Socratic has a good overall rating on Google Play and the Apple app store, it may not have as many reviews as the aforementioned apps.

Algebra 1

Socratic proves to be a valuable tool for algebra 1, as it not only solves problems but provides step-by-step explanations for free. Additionally, the app includes info cards that cover key concepts related to the problem, further enhancing the learning experience.

Geometry

Socratic's performance in geometry is lackluster compared to algebra 1. It often fails to identify and solve geometry problems accurately, providing incorrect or unrelated information. This makes it unreliable for geometry-related questions.

Algebra 2 and Trig

Socratic functions more as a search engine for math problems in algebra 2 and trigonometry. While it can guide users to external websites or apps that have the answers, it does not provide step-by-step solutions itself. This limits its usefulness compared to apps that offer complete explanations.

Precalc

Socratic's effectiveness diminishes further in precalculus. Although it provides information cards on key concepts related to the problem, it falls short in actually solving the problem and offering step-by-step solutions. As a result, it may not be a reliable resource for precalculus students.

Calculus

Socratic's performance in calculus is mixed. While it may redirect users to external sources that contain the solution and steps, it also has instances where it shows the complete solution within its own forum. This ambiguity raises questions about the reliability and integrity of the results.

Pros and Cons of Socratic

Pros:

• Free to download and use
• Provides step-by-step explanations for algebra 1
• Includes info cards and related videos for concept reinforcement

Cons:

• Struggles with accurately identifying and solving geometry problems
• Lacks comprehensive step-by-step solutions for higher-level math subjects
• Relies heavily on external sources for answers

In conclusion, Socratic's initial strong performance in algebra 1 diminishes as the complexity of the math subjects increases. Its dependence on external sources and inconsistent results make it a less favorable option compared to apps that offer comprehensive explanations.

Conclusion

In the battle of math apps, Photomath reigns supreme. With its accurate problem recognition and comprehensive step-by-step explanations, it provides reliable assistance across various math subjects. Mathway follows closely behind, while Socratic falls short in its ability to consistently recognize and solve math problems. However, it is important to note that these apps should be used as learning tools rather than shortcuts, as understanding the concepts and problem-solving methods is crucial for long-term success in mathematics.