As an electrical engineering major turned high school math teacher, I live and breathe equations. And while math enlightens many students, I empathize with the frustration that often emerges around seemingly impenetrable concepts.
Fortunately, smartphone apps offer clever assistance. Point your camera at a hairy quadratic formula or gnarly trig identity and let AI work its magic. I‘ll unpack exactly how it all works shortly.
First off, why another article reviewing math helpers? Simply put, options explode while mastery remains elusive. During my testing, the most robust services stood out from gimmicky pretenders. Quality matters because these tools influence understanding. Read on for the down low from a teacher‘s perspective.
I evaluated over 20 top math solver apps on:
- Accuracy of solutions
- Scope of coverage
- Clarity of explanations
- Ease of input methods
- Additional learning resources
Beyond cold calculations, true comprehension requires deeper engagement. Let‘s explore some pro tips…
Stick to the Fundamentals
Mastering early building blocks marks a crucial first step. With elementary operations down cold, abstraction gets way easier. I have students drill constantly on areas like:
- Number sense
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Percentages
- Exponents
- Properties (distributive, commutative etc.)
Yes I know…potentially boring. But fluidity with the above allows tackling multi-variable equations, imaginary numbers and epsilon-delta proofs! Gotta walk before running.
This is where math apps excel – bridging gaps on the basics. Photomath and Microsoft Math Solver for example provide exceptional supplemental clarity on foundational concepts. Their step-by-step guidance combined with targeting practice material accelerates proficiency.
Learn Why, Now Just What
While helpful solving problems, don‘t just mimic. Grok why each calculation step gets performed based on key rules. Math apps reveal their "thought process" allowing you to pinpoint holes.
Take logarithms, which I consider a cornerstone ability. Software will break down the process of solving log equations. Pay attention to when and why properties like the power rule, quotient rule and change of base formula apply.
Apps also explain methodology options. For example, seeing linear system solutions through substitution OR elimination provides perspective. The goal = comprehend skills allowing self-reliance.
A Balancing Act
No one masters riding a bike relying solely on training wheels. Similarly math apps best support through balanced usage. I suggest strategically working through 3 phases while learning a new concept:
- Attempting independently – Try new problems solo relying on current knowledge
- Getting hints – If stuck, use an app‘s assist features to get pointed guidance
- Understanding full solutions – Review complete explanations to solidify grasp
This cycle of attempt, hint and explain allows methodical refinement through personalized context. Be wary of over-dependency – challenge yourself to maximize retention.
I‘ll next outline my picks across major math app categories, then detail how these services technically solve problems before exploring exclusive teacher tips. Let‘s dig in!
Best Overall: Photomath
Boasting over 300 million downloads, Photomath leads as my #1 overall recommendation due to its uncanny accuracy across an astounding range of math fields. Effortless camera input combined with clear explanations cement its popularity.
For example, the image above shows Photomath breaking down a multivariable derivative – incredibly complex stuff! The step-by-step methodology boosts comprehension through consistent rules enforcement and notation.
Photomath also shines for more basic arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry and geometry – making it a Swiss army knife math assistant. Flashy animations provide additional context where needed. And the "Show Me" feature adds an interactive element while exploring new concepts.
Bottom line – Photomath should be every student‘s go-to math companion. Its versatility continues pushing boundaries.
Subjects Covered:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Calculus
- Statistics
Best for Beginners: Microsoft Math Solver
Here‘s a shocking stat – 93% of adults in the US suffer from some form of math anxiety. And while multifaceted in origin, lack of early confidence marks a key driver. Tools like Microsoft Math Solver provide reassuring stepping stones into foundational concepts.
Beginner-friendly features like handy tips, video lessons and real-time feedback keep motivation high. The app delivers explanations using multiple representations expanding connections. Students gain intuition around best strategies through decision tree diagrams.
Categories clearly target competency levels while bookmarking enables self-paced progress tracking. And the ubiquitous Microsoft brand inspires trust – helpful for those intimidated by math.
Overall as a classroom primer or homeschool asset, Microsoft Math Solver develops confidence through achievement.
Subjects covered:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Basic Calculus
- Basic Statistics
- Geometry
Best Free Service: Mathway
As public school budgets strain, students increasingly rely on free tools removing financial barriers. This heightens the importance of services like Mathway providing robust access completely gratis.
The app‘s extensive handwritten equation and printed text recognition capabilities handle everything from arithmetic through multi-variable differential equations. Their solver database seems to cover the full high school curriculum with solid explanations of methodology.
Mathway also lets you double check work by comparing your approach to recommended strategies. The side-by-side analysis helps engrain best practices through real examples.
While avoiding premium model upsells, Mathway does leverage sponsorships and ads making it possible to deliver totally free. The clean interface minimizes distractions with clear focus on the math itself.
For those needing to pinch pennies while still requiring robust functionality, Mathway leads the free service pack.
Subjects Covered:
- Pre-algebra
- Algebra I & II
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Precalculus
- Statistics
Best for ACT & SAT: Bootcamp
Standardized tests provoke anxiety all their own. With college admissions riding on the outcomes, students need every edge to build competence and confidence. This is where specialized apps like Bootcamp shine.
The team behind Bootcamp leverages AI, top tutors and proven test preps to optimize success on critical exams like the ACT and SAT. Performance analytics exposes weaknesses while adaptive exercises boost scores.
Students receive personalized learning plans tailored to their needs. scheduling tools also help balance preparation and rest for peak testing performance. And social elements allow connecting with cohorts for added motivation.
While Photomath and Microsoft Math Solver provide broader curriculum support, few match Bootcamp‘s test centric prowess. Sign up early to get those dream scores!
Subjects Covered:
- SAT & ACT Math
- GRE Quantitative
- GMAT Quant
Honorable Mentions
Beyond the categories above, a few other excellent math assistants merit shout outs:
Math Papa – Fantastic for algebra and geometry foundations
Symbolab – Robust graphing features for visualizing concepts
GeoGebra – Specialized math drawing & geometry tools
Desmos – Great demo animations and graph interactivity
Wolfram Alpha – Powerful advanced math solver
I encourage exploring different apps to find options aligning best with particular learning styles and subjects. Most provide free trials allowing test runs.
Next let‘s peek behind the curtain to reveal how these services actually work their magic.
How Math Solver Apps Work
The key foundations involve artificial intelligence, computer vision and natural language processing. Let‘s break it down step-by-step:
1. Image Processing
Like our own eyes, the app‘s algorithms must first identify the specific question area within a full camera shot. Sophisticated machine learning models isolate the mathematical expression from background clutter.
2. Text Extraction
Now that the region of interest gets cropped, optical character recognition transforms image data into readable text. Additional logic parses structure based on expected mathematical syntax and formats.
3. Solving
Given an understandable equation, the application relies on a vast database of solutions as source material. Rules engines apply modular strategies while adjusting variables and mathematical operations accordingly.
Think of it like solving a jigsaw puzzle – fitting together solution steps based on shape and rules. These databases grow ever more powerful through machine learning, capturing new patterns at scale.
4. Explanation Generation
Direct solutions provide limited pedagogical value. True comprehension requires exposing the underlying thought sequence. Apps thus retrace solving steps to produce detailed explanations for students.
Additional elements like graphs, animations and reformatted representations further bridge gaps for unfamiliar learners. Behind simple convenience lies incredible technological complexity!
While the technical details dazzle, I most care about real classroom benefits. Let‘s explore specialized guidance for educators looking to embrace these apps as teaching tools.
Tips for Teachers & Parents
As with any tech disruption, balancing enablement versus dependency remains tricky. I incorporate math solvers as assistants while ensuring students own mastery. Here are my top tips:
Curve Quiz Difficulty
Getting stumped occasionally reinforces retention versus blowing through a test. Design quiz questions targeting the boundary of current competency. Apps then provide incremental support to connect the dots without undermining development.
Encourage Experimentation
Assign open-ended problems for self-directed exploration. Instead of judging correctness, have students document takeaways from manipulating equations with visualization tools. Creativity and curiosity trump memorization.
Review Usage Analytics
Apps like Microsoft Math Solver provide educator dashboards to monitor progress. Review trends to identify broader needs. Struggling with a particular algebra principle? Design targeted lessons leveraging explanatory features within the apps themselves.
Seed Early Wins
Confidence snowballs success. Enable quick achievement by having students solve a few basic problems with assistance. Build competency incrementally while scaling question difficulty gradually. Early momentum works magic.
At the end of the day, technology merely enables. True mastery stems from hunger plus effective support. Math apps provide Wangiri shortcuts – but the rewarding summit view still requires hiking the mountain!
