THE BEST MATH APP FOR YOUR CLASS | Mathway vs Photomath vs Socratic
TLDRThis video compares three popular math apps—Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic—testing their ability to solve math problems from algebra to calculus. Mathway offers solutions but requires a premium subscription for steps. Photomath impresses with detailed, free step-by-step explanations, though textbook-specific problems may require payment. Socratic, Google's app, provides free step-by-step solutions and additional resources but struggles with more complex problems. The verdict: Photomath excels for its comprehensive free explanations, followed by Mathway and Socratic.
Takeaways
- 📚 The video compares three popular math apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic.
- 📱 All three apps allow users to take a photo of a math problem for solving.
- 🌟 Mathway has a high rating on app stores but requires a premium subscription to view solution steps.
- 🔍 Photomath stands out for providing detailed steps for free, even for problems from textbooks, with some exceptions.
- 📐 Socratic, made by Google, offers explanations and links to external resources but struggles with recognizing some problems.
- 💰 Mathway's free version is limited as it doesn't show steps, which is a drawback for students needing guidance.
- 🎯 Photomath's accuracy in recognizing textbook problems and providing step-by-step solutions makes it a strong contender.
- 🤖 Socratic utilizes Google's AI technology but has inconsistencies in problem recognition and solution provision.
- 📉 Socratic's performance declines with more complex subjects like pre-calculus and matrices.
- 📈 Photomath is favored for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive, free explanations.
- 📝 The review suggests that while these apps are helpful tools, they should not replace understanding and learning.
Q & A
What is the main purpose of the apps Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic?
-The main purpose of Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic is to help users solve math problems by taking a photo of the problem, reading it, and providing the solution.
How does Mathway handle the step-by-step explanation of solutions?
-Mathway provides the correct answers but requires users to upgrade to a premium license for $9.99 a month to view the step-by-step solutions.
What is the user's experience with Mathway's geometry problem-solving capabilities?
-The user found that Mathway was unable to read diagrams for geometry problems, making it unsuitable for geometry.
How does Photomath differ from Mathway in terms of providing step-by-step solutions?
-Photomath provides clear and detailed step-by-step solutions for free, as long as the problem is not directly recognized as coming from a textbook.
What is special about Photomath's approach to solving algebra 1 problems?
-Photomath recognizes the textbook being used and provides steps for solving the problem, but only if it doesn't identify the problem as coming directly from the textbook.
How effective is Socratic in solving algebra 1 problems compared to other subjects?
-Socratic is effective in solving algebra 1 problems, providing step-by-step explanations without the need for a subscription. However, it struggles with more complex subjects like geometry and pre-calculus.
What is unique about Socratic's approach to problem-solving?
-Socratic uses Google's powerful AI technology to search for and provide solutions from various websites and resources, acting more like a search engine than a standalone solution provider.
What is the general consensus on the usefulness of these apps for students?
-The apps are considered great tools for homework assistance, but they should not be used for copying answers or cheating on tests.
How does the reviewer rank the apps based on their overall performance?
-The reviewer ranks Photomath at the top, followed by Mathway, and then Socratic, due to the depth of explanations and the availability of free solutions.
What are the limitations of Mathway's free version according to the reviewer?
-The free version of Mathway recognizes problems but does not provide step-by-step solutions, which limits its usefulness for students who are stuck on a problem and do not know how to solve it.
What is the reviewer's suggestion for students using these apps?
-The reviewer suggests that students should use these apps as tools to help with homework but not to copy answers or cheat, emphasizing the importance of understanding the problem-solving process.
Outlines
📱 Math App Reviews: Mathway
The video starts with an introduction to the review of three popular math apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic. The host explains that these apps allow users to take photos of math problems to get solutions. The first app reviewed is Mathway, which is free to download and has high ratings on both Google and Apple stores. However, the app requires a premium subscription to view step-by-step solutions, which is a drawback for students. The review tests Mathway with problems from algebra, geometry, algebra 2, trigonometry, precalculus, and calculus. While the app accurately identifies problems and provides answers, it often fails to show the steps unless the user pays for the premium version, limiting its usefulness for learning.
🤳 Photomath: A Comprehensive Solution
Photomath is the second app reviewed and is praised for its ability to scan and solve math problems. It has a high number of positive reviews and ratings on both Google and Apple stores. The app provides a free version that explains steps clearly unless the problem is from a textbook, in which case it requires a premium subscription. The review highlights Photomath's effectiveness across various math levels, including algebra, geometry, algebra 2, trigonometry, precalculus, and calculus. The app is noted for its detailed explanations and ease of use, making it highly recommended for students.
🔍 Socratic by Google: A Mixed Bag
The final app reviewed is Socratic by Google, which supports various subjects, including math. The app requires a Google account login and utilizes Google's AI technology to help solve problems. The review finds that Socratic is effective for algebra, providing detailed explanations and related educational content. However, the app struggles with geometry, algebra 2, trigonometry, precalculus, and calculus, often redirecting users to external websites for solutions. Despite its limitations in higher-level math, Socratic is considered useful for its ability to offer multiple explanations from different sources.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Math Apps
💡Photomath
💡Socratic
💡Mathway
💡Algebra
💡Geometry
💡Trigonometry
💡Pre-Calculus
💡Calculus
💡Premium License
Highlights
Reviewing three popular math apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic.
Each app can solve math problems by taking a photo of the problem.
Testing includes problems from Algebra 1 up to Calculus.
Mathway requires a premium subscription to view steps, which is a drawback.
Mathway struggles with geometry problems that include diagrams.
Mathway can solve algebraic expressions and verify trig identities but doesn't show steps without payment.
Photomath has over 2 million reviews on Google Play with high ratings.
Photomath provides step-by-step explanations for free if the problem isn't from a textbook.
Photomath is effective for Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Calculus with detailed steps.
Photomath struggles with custom geometry problems but is strong in other areas.
Socratic is developed by Google and supports multiple subjects, including math.
Socratic offers step-by-step explanations and related educational content like videos.
Socratic performs well in Algebra but less so in higher-level subjects like Pre-Calculus.
Socratic sometimes struggles with recognizing and solving more complex math problems.
Ranking of the apps: Photomath at the top, followed by Mathway, with Socratic last.