Photomath

One-trick pony displays equation solutions with unique digital tool

Learning rating

Community rating

Based on 5 reviews

Privacy rating

Expert evaluation by Common Sense

Grades

3–12

Subjects & Skills

Critical Thinking, Math

Price: Free
Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Pros: Offers a unique, tech-savvy approach to showing solutions to math equations.

Cons: Kids will be tempted to use the app for quick and easy answers to problems, with no opportunity for in-depth learning.

Bottom Line: If used appropriately, this could be a fun tool for showing kids how to solve equations.

If you're looking for an interesting twist on teaching kids about equations, use Photomath as a whole-class instructional tool. Keeping in mind that equations have to be printed and not hand-written, create several equations that align to your lesson, and have kids solve them using paper and pencil. Then, using a copy of the unsolved equations, scan them with the app, one at a time. Review each step of the solution with the class, making sure kids understand why each step was completed. 

Photomath is essentially a camera with a built-in program for solving equations. To start, kids point the device at an equation and wait a few seconds for the equation to scan. Then, the solution appears on the screen. Kids can tap a button to see the steps that were used to solve the equation. Other tapable icons on the main screen include an information icon, a brightness icon, and an icon that lists all recently scanned equations and their solutions. 

It's pretty neat to see Photomath in action, but kids may not learn much from the experience. Each step of a solution can be displayed, but explanations aren't provided, which limits how much kids may understand. Ideally, kids will use the app if they occasionally struggle with an equation and want to see the individual steps for solving it. Kids can also use it to check their work, although traditional methods, like substitution, are much more valuable when it comes to learning. The greatest concern about this tool is that it raises the possibility of academic cheating, and may send kids a message to take the easy route when it comes to learning. 

Learning Rating

Overall Rating
Engagement

Kids will be engaged as they take photos of equations and see the solutions appear on the screen, but the novelty wears off quickly. 

Pedagogy

Could be an innovative way for kids to see steps for solving equations. It's possible kids will use it to find answers to homework or test problems, however, and steps aren't explained, they're simply listed. 

Support

A tutorial shows kids how to use the app. Simple, clean design makes navigation a snap. Voiced instructions could appeal to more diverse learners. 

Common Sense reviewer

Community Rating

This app is great for educators

As a math tutor, I see kids from kindergarten to 12th grade. Sometimes I'll get asked a question on a problem I don't know or don't remember how to solve. I would use this app ask a teaching tool so that I may relearn the process on how to solve the problem, then I would later explain it to the student. I would not recommend this to a student because, students can easily use this app to solve questions without learning the material. But i would definitely recommend this to educators to help them relearn the concept.

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Privacy Rating

Data Safety How safe is this product?

  • Unclear whether this product supports interactions between trusted users.
  • Unclear whether personal information can be displayed publicly.
  • Unclear whether user-created content is filtered for personal information before being made publicly visible.

Data Rights What rights do I have to the data?

  • Users can create or upload content.
  • Processes to access or review user data are available.
  • Processes to modify data are available for authorized users.

Ads & Tracking Are there advertisements or tracking?

  • Personal information is shared for third-party marketing.
  • Unclear whether this product displays traditional or contextual advertisements.
  • Personalised advertising is displayed.

Continue reading about this tool's privacy practices, including data collection, sharing, and security.

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