Photomath is a smartphone app and software extension from Google that helps solve math problems. Since it works with a device's camera, it's a very intuitive way to get math guidance.
One problem with this tool is that some teachers might see it as a way for students to cheat, as they get guidance on math problems and links to textbook answers. However, if not abused, it can be a useful tool for students to get unstuck on problems that might otherwise bog them down outside of class.
So, keep in mind that this tool is useful, but it should be recommended with some guidance so that students know how to use it properly, to help them rather than replace their learning.
This guide aims to lay out everything you need to know so you can decide if Photomath might be useful for your class.
What is Photomath?
Photomathematics is an app-based math tool that runs on smartphones and tablets by using cameras to interact with the physical world. Students hold their device up to a math problem and the app detects and analyzes what is displayed before offering guidance for the solution.
This represents a potential helper for students that could be helpful when they get stuck on a math problem for which there is no guidance available from a teacher or parent. This can mean continued progress, and potentially increased confidence, as they work on math tasks alone.
As mentioned, this can be used to help move work along, but also to skip over it. Students can use this to get quick answers to problems that allow them to solve an equation without the depth of understanding they might have gained by solving it on their own and finding the solution. One way to avoid this is to use the tool in class, as a group, so everyone can learn to use it in a positive way without overusing its usefulness.
How does Photomath work?
Photomath works either within the app itself or as part of Google's in-app camera toolkit. In either case, the device's camera works so you can see on the screen what's printed on the paper. The app then detects math problems, after you take the photo, and highlights them with digital brackets before displaying that equation in the app digitally.
Students can select how they want to proceed from a few options available on the screen. Select Show solution steps to receive guidance on how this can be solved, step by step. This offers a number of options for solving the problem, which should help students learn how to solve it, as well as different ways to think about the problem. This can be done in a number of ways, choosing the method you like, such as using the elimination method, Cramer's rule, the comparison method, and others.
An animated tutorial option and more detailed explanations are also available, but they are reserved for the premium Plus version of the app. A graph-based example option helps to visually show the problem in a different way.
What are the best features of Photomath?
Photomath is very easy to use, allowing most students of a wide variety of ages to take advantage of this aid. As long as they have a device with a camera and an internet connection, this can be something that works for them.
The app can be useful for students at home, but it's also a great way to work on various solution options, as a group, in the classroom. Since it can be installed on each student's device, it can be an immersive way to work on solutions together.
The free steps are useful as starting points for classroom teaching, but for more in-depth explanations (which can aid individual learning), the paid plan that offers greater detail would be a smart investment.
In theory, having many options to choose from with explanations should help broaden the student's understanding of the problem. While this may represent an easy way to skip some steps, this should be taken with a grain of salt.
It is very useful that it works as part of the Google app, so it is a Google Lens tool. Therefore, it can be a very easy way to access mathematical solutions and guidance from any phone, especially Android devices.
How much does Photomath cost?
Photomath offers many features for free, but also has premium features on a paid tier of the service that you can subscribe to if you wish. The app is available for Android and iOS.
He free The free version provides you with solutions to equations with the steps explained in a clear and simple manner. This also works for fractions, expressions, and functions. The app also includes a calculator as part of the list of functions.
The cousin Further plan, loaded to $9.99 per month or $69.99 per yearoffers you additional options, such as deeper solutions with more complete explanations, as well as solutions for many specific textbooks. It also offers customized visual aids, plus more tips with how-to and why instructions.
The best Photomath tips and tricks
Working in a group
Have the class solve a math problem and then use the app together to review the different ways it could have been solved correctly.
Add the depth
When you finish the free app, add more in-depth explanations to help students see that they shouldn't rely solely on the app to learn or solve equations.
Rules of the place
Explain how the app could be used to cheat and why that won't help in the long run when it comes to effective learning, helping students choose to use it only in useful ways.
