THE BEST MATH APP FOR YOUR CLASS | Mathway vs Photomath vs Socratic

your math tutor

31 Mar 202113:48

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, three popular math apps - Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic - are reviewed for their ability to solve a range of math problems from algebra to calculus. Mathway, while accurate, requires a premium subscription to view solution steps. Photomath stands out for its detailed, free step-by-step explanations, except for textbook problems. Socratic, powered by Google, offers free step-by-step guidance for algebra but struggles with more complex subjects like pre-calculus and calculus, often directing users to external sites for solutions. The reviewer ranks Photomath as the top choice, followed by Mathway, with Socratic coming in last due to its inconsistency in solving complex problems.

Takeaways

📚 **Mathway App**: Offers a free app with a high rating but requires a premium subscription to view steps for solving math problems.
📱 **Photomath App**: Recognizes textbook problems and provides detailed step-by-step solutions for free, unless the problem is directly from a textbook.
🔍 **Socratic App**: Utilizes Google's AI to search for solutions and explanations, offering a variety of resources but may not always provide the exact answer.
📈 **Algebra 1**: Mathway provides hints and answers but no steps without a subscription. Photomath offers clear steps for free unless from a textbook. Socratic explains step by step without additional cost.
📐 **Geometry**: Mathway struggles with diagrams. Photomath provides explanations for textbook problems but not for random teacher-made problems. Socratic fails to recognize the problem correctly.
🧮 **Algebra 2 & Trig**: Mathway requires a subscription for steps. Photomath shows some work for free. Socratic searches for solutions but may not find the exact problem.
📊 **Pre-Calculus**: Mathway identifies matrices but no steps without payment. Photomath provides detailed steps for free. Socratic does not solve the problem but offers information cards.
🌟 **Calculus**: Mathway shows the formula and answer but lacks work steps. Photomath explains integration by parts in detail. Socratic finds a forum solution with steps.
💰 **Subscription Services**: Mathway and Photomath offer premium subscriptions for more detailed steps and solutions.
🚫 **Ethical Use**: The reviewer emphasizes the importance of using these apps as learning tools rather than for cheating.
✅ **Overall Recommendation**: Photomath is favored for its ease of use and in-depth, free explanations, followed by Mathway, with Socratic being less effective for higher-level math.

Q & A

Which three math apps were reviewed in the transcript?
-The three math apps reviewed were Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic.
What is the main feature of these math apps?
-The main feature is the ability to take a photo of a math problem and have the app read and solve it.
What is the rating of Mathway on the Google App Store?
-Mathway has a 4.5 rating on the Google App Store.
What is the issue with the free version of Mathway?
-The free version of Mathway provides answers but does not show the steps to solve the problems unless you upgrade to a premium license.
How does Photomath handle textbook problems?
-Photomath shows steps for free if the problem is not recognized as coming directly from a textbook.
What is the rating of Photomath on Google Play?
-Photomath has a 4.7 rating on Google Play.
How does Socratic differ from the other two apps?
-Socratic is an app made by Google that helps with various subjects, not just math, and uses AI technology to search for solutions to math problems.
What is the main advantage of Socratic for algebra problems?
-Socratic provides step-by-step solutions and additional resources like key concept info cards and related videos for free.
What is the issue with Socratic when dealing with more complex subjects?
-Socratic struggles with recognizing and solving more complex subjects like matrices and pre-calculus problems.
Why might Socratic not be as effective for certain math problems?
-Socratic relies on linking to external sites that have the answers, which may not always be available for every problem, especially if it's not a common or textbook question.
How does the reviewer rank the three apps?
-The reviewer ranks Photomath at the top, followed by Mathway, and then Socratic.
What is the reviewer's final recommendation regarding the use of these apps?
-The reviewer recommends these apps as great tools for homework assistance but advises against using them to simply copy down answers or cheat on tests.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Reviewing Popular Math Apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic

The video script begins with an introduction to a review of three popular math apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic. These apps allow users to take a photo of a math problem and use AI to read and solve it. The reviewer plans to test the apps with problems ranging from algebra to calculus to determine which is the most useful. The first app, Mathway, is free and has high ratings on app stores, but requires a premium subscription to view solution steps. Despite recognizing problems, the free version's lack of step-by-step guidance is a significant drawback for students who need to learn the process, not just the answer.

05:03

🔍 Photomath: Scanning and Solving Math Problems

The second paragraph focuses on Photomath, an app specifically designed for scanning and solving math problems. It has high ratings on both Google Play and Apple's App Store. Unlike Mathway, Photomath provides clear step-by-step solutions for free, except when the problem is directly from a textbook. The app impresses with its ability to recognize textbook problems and guide users through solving them, making it a strong contender in the review. It even offers detailed steps for calculus problems, although it struggles with geometry problems when they are drawn on paper.

10:06

🤖 Socratic by Google: A Search-Oriented Math Solver

The third paragraph introduces Socratic, a Google-made app that assists with various subjects, including math. The reviewer is enthusiastic about the app's potential due to Google's advanced AI technology. Socratic offers step-by-step solutions for algebra problems without requiring payment. However, it struggles with geometry, and its approach for more complex subjects like algebra 2 and pre-calculus involves linking to external sites, which may or may not provide the needed solution. While it can be useful for providing alternative explanations, Socratic's performance declines with more challenging math problems, and it does not solve problems as effectively as Photomath.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mathway

Mathway is a free math problem-solving app developed by Chegg, which is known for its educational resources. It allows users to take a photo of a math problem and provides solutions. However, the app requires a premium subscription to view the steps to the solution, which can be a drawback for students who cannot afford it. In the video, Mathway is tested with various math problems and found to recognize them but falls short in providing step-by-step explanations without payment.

💡Photomath

Photomath is an app specifically designed for scanning and solving math problems. It has gained popularity with millions of reviews and high ratings on app stores. Unlike Mathway, Photomath offers a more comprehensive solution by providing step-by-step explanations for most problems for free, unless the problem is directly from a textbook. The app is highlighted in the video for its user-friendly interface and detailed explanations, making it a top choice for the reviewer.

💡Socratic (App)

Socratic is a versatile app developed by Google that assists with a range of subjects, including math. It uses AI technology to help solve math problems and provide explanations. The app stands out for its ability to link users to external websites and resources that offer solutions and further explanations. However, the video points out that Socratic's effectiveness diminishes with more complex math problems, as it sometimes fails to recognize or solve them directly.

💡Algebra

Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with symbols and the rules for their manipulation. It is a fundamental subject in the field of mathematics and is typically one of the first areas students encounter when studying higher math. In the video, Algebra 1 problems are used to test the capabilities of the math apps, with a focus on solving linear equations and understanding variable manipulation.

💡Geometry

Geometry is a mathematical discipline that deals with points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids. The video tests the apps' ability to solve geometry problems, specifically those involving angle measurements and relationships. It is noted that none of the apps performed well with geometry diagrams, indicating a potential limitation in their ability to interpret visual spatial information.

💡Trigonometry

Trigonometry, often abbreviated as trig, is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. The video examines how each app handles trigonometric identities and factoring problems. Trigonometry is significant in higher-level math and is used to test the apps' ability to solve more complex problems.

💡Pre-Calculus

Pre-Calculus, often simply referred to as pre-calc, is a mathematics course that typically covers topics such as functions, matrices, and trigonometry, which serve as a foundation for calculus. In the video, the app's ability to solve pre-calc problems, particularly those involving matrices, is evaluated as an indicator of their effectiveness in handling more advanced mathematical concepts.

💡Calculus

Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on limits, functions, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. It is considered a higher-level subject and is often a requirement for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The video tests the apps with calculus problems, specifically indefinite integrals, to assess their capability to handle complex mathematical operations.

💡Integration by Parts

Integration by parts is a specific method used in calculus to find the integral of a product of two functions. It is a technique that is particularly useful for integrals that are products of functions for which direct integration is difficult. In the video, the apps are tested on their ability to solve integrals using this method, which demonstrates their capacity for advanced mathematical reasoning.

💡Premium Subscription

A premium subscription refers to a paid, upgraded version of a service that offers additional features or content not available in the free version. In the context of the math apps reviewed, a premium subscription typically grants access to step-by-step solutions and explanations. The video discusses the necessity of such subscriptions for accessing the full functionality of the apps, which can be a point of contention for students with budget constraints.

💡AI Technology

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology involves the use of computer systems to mimic human intelligence, enabling them to perform tasks that would typically require human cognition. In the video, Google's Socratic app is highlighted for its use of AI to assist with problem-solving across various subjects. The effectiveness of AI in educational apps is a key theme, as it can significantly enhance the learning experience by providing personalized and adaptive assistance.

Highlights

Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic are tested for their ability to solve math problems through photo recognition.

Mathway is a free app with a high rating but requires a premium subscription to view solution steps.

Photomath offers detailed steps for free, unless the problem is from a textbook, making it a strong contender.

Socratic, made by Google, provides step-by-step solutions without a subscription but relies on external sites for some answers.

For algebra 1 problems, all three apps recognized and solved the problems, but Mathway lacked step explanations in the free version.

Photomath struggles with geometry problems, failing to recognize diagrams.

Socratic provides additional resources like key concept info cards and related videos, enhancing learning.

In higher-level math such as pre-calculus and calculus, Photomath outperforms with detailed step-by-step solutions.

Mathway's paid version is implied to offer more comprehensive solutions, but the free version falls short for those needing step guidance.

Socratic's reliance on external sites can be both a strength and a weakness, as it sometimes fails to provide direct answers.

Photomath is praised for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive solution steps, making it the top choice.

The reviewer emphasizes the importance of not using these apps to cheat, but rather as tools to aid understanding.

All three apps are recognized as valuable tools for homework assistance, each with its own strengths and limitations.

The review concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and comment for further content on math apps or problems.

The reviewer acknowledges that there are more math problems and subjects not covered and invites suggestions for future reviews.

Socratic initially appears promising for algebra but falls behind in more complex subjects like pre-calculus.

The review provides a balanced perspective on each app's capabilities and the potential need for a premium subscription.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Photomath Vs. Mathway: Online Math Tutor Reviews Apps that Do Your Math Homework

THE BEST MATH APP FOR YOUR CLASS | Mathway vs Photomath vs Socratic

Takeaways

Q & A

Which three math apps were reviewed in the transcript?

What is the main feature of these math apps?

What is the rating of Mathway on the Google App Store?

What is the issue with the free version of Mathway?

How does Photomath handle textbook problems?

What is the rating of Photomath on Google Play?

How does Socratic differ from the other two apps?

What is the main advantage of Socratic for algebra problems?

What is the issue with Socratic when dealing with more complex subjects?

Why might Socratic not be as effective for certain math problems?

How does the reviewer rank the three apps?

What is the reviewer's final recommendation regarding the use of these apps?