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

your math tutor
31 Mar 202113:48

TLDRThis video compares three popular math apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic, testing their ability to solve problems from algebra to calculus. Mathway offers solutions but requires a premium subscription for steps. Photomath impresses with clear, free step-by-step explanations, except for textbook questions. Socratic, Google's app, provides free explanations and links to external resources but struggles with more complex problems. Overall, Photomath stands out for its ease of use and depth of explanation, while Mathway and Socratic have their limitations.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The video compares three popular math apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic, testing their ability to solve math problems from algebra to calculus.
  • 📚 Mathway is a free app with a high rating but requires a premium subscription to view solution steps, which may not be ideal for students.
  • 🔍 Photomath excels in recognizing problems and providing detailed steps for free, even for complex problems like calculus, making it a top choice.
  • 🤖 Socratic, developed by Google, offers explanations and links to external resources but sometimes lacks direct problem recognition and step-by-step guidance.
  • 📈 Mathway's recognition of problems is good, but the lack of free step-by-step solutions limits its usefulness for students who need to learn the process.
  • 📝 Photomath stands out for its ability to provide clear steps and explanations without needing a textbook or a subscription, enhancing its educational value.
  • 📚 Socratic's reliance on Google's search capabilities means it can direct users to various explanations but may not always provide the exact solution or steps.
  • 📉 The review found that for higher-level math like pre-calculus and calculus, Photomath and Mathway performed better than Socratic in terms of problem-solving.
  • 💡 Socratic's unique feature is the 'info cards' with key concepts and related videos, which can be helpful for understanding the fundamentals of a problem.
  • 🚫 The reviewer advises against using these apps to simply copy answers or cheat, emphasizing the importance of using them as learning tools.
  • 👍 The video concludes with a recommendation for Photomath due to its comprehensive and free step-by-step solutions, followed by Mathway and then Socratic.

Q & A

  • What are the three math apps being reviewed in the video?

    -The three math apps being reviewed are Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic.

  • What is the main feature of these math apps?

    -The main feature of these apps 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 and Apple Store?

    -Mathway has a 4.5 rating on the Google App Store and a 4.9 rating on the Apple Store.

  • What is the issue with Mathway's free version when it comes to showing steps for solving problems?

    -The free version of Mathway shows the answer but requires a premium subscription to view the steps for solving the problems.

  • How does Photomath handle showing steps for solving problems?

    -Photomath shows steps for solving problems for free, but it does not recognize problems from textbooks unless they are copied and pasted into a document.

  • What is the rating of Photomath on Google Play and Apple Store?

    -Photomath has a 4.7 rating on Google Play and a 4.8 rating on the Apple Store.

  • What is unique about Socratic's approach to solving math problems?

    -Socratic uses Google's powerful AI technology and provides explanations, info cards with key concepts, and links to external sites for additional explanations.

  • How does Socratic perform with more complex math subjects like pre-calculus?

    -Socratic struggles with more complex subjects like pre-calculus, sometimes failing to recognize the questions or provide solutions.

  • What is the reviewer's final ranking of the three math apps?

    -The reviewer ranks Photomath at the top, followed by Mathway, and then Socratic at the bottom.

  • What is the reviewer's advice regarding the use of these math apps for homework and tests?

    -The reviewer advises that these apps are great tools for homework help but should not be used for copying down answers or cheating on tests.

  • What does the reviewer suggest if viewers have other math problems or subjects they want to see reviewed?

    -The reviewer suggests that viewers can leave a comment if they want to see other math problems or subjects reviewed, or if there is an app that was not covered in the video.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Math App Review: Testing Mathway and Photomath

This paragraph introduces a review of three popular math apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic. The apps are tested for their ability to solve math problems by analyzing photos of the problems. Mathway is first up, a free app from Chegg with high ratings on app stores. It offers typing, photo-taking, and voice input for math problems. However, it only provides hints and the correct answer without showing steps, requiring a premium subscription for detailed solutions. The reviewer tests Mathway with algebra, geometry, algebra 2, trigonometry, pre-calculus, and calculus problems, noting its recognition capabilities but frustration with the lack of step-by-step guidance in the free version.

05:03

🔍 In-Depth Analysis of Photomath and Socratic

The second paragraph delves into Photomath, which excels in recognizing problems and providing detailed step-by-step solutions for free, except for textbook questions. The app offers a clear explanation of algebra, geometry, algebra 2, trigonometry, pre-calculus, and calculus problems. It stands out for its ability to identify textbook problems and provide solutions with detailed steps, albeit with some formatting issues. Socratic, developed by Google, is also reviewed, starting with algebra where it provides step-by-step solutions and additional resources like info cards and related videos. However, its performance declines with geometry, where it fails to recognize the problem correctly, and pre-calculus, where it does not solve the problem but offers information cards on related concepts.

10:06

🏆 Ranking the Math Apps and Final Thoughts

The final paragraph wraps up the review with a ranking of the apps based on their performance. Photomath is placed at the top due to its user-friendly interface and comprehensive free explanations. Mathway follows, recognized for its problem-solving capabilities but criticized for requiring a premium subscription to view steps. Socratic ends up at the bottom due to its inconsistent performance, particularly in higher-level math subjects like matrices and pre-calculus. The paragraph concludes with a reminder that these apps are tools to aid learning and should not be used for cheating. The reviewer invites viewers to like, subscribe, and comment with feedback or suggestions for further reviews.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Math Apps

Math Apps refer to mobile applications designed to assist students in solving mathematical problems. In the context of the video, Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic are the three math apps being reviewed. They are essential tools for students to check their answers and understand problem-solving steps, which is the main theme of the video.

💡Algebra 1

Algebra 1 is a fundamental math course that introduces students to basic algebraic concepts such as linear equations. In the video, the reviewer tests the math apps with problems from Algebra 1 to see if they can solve for variables like 'c' in a linear equation, which is a common task for students in this course.

💡Geometry

Geometry is a branch of mathematics that deals with shapes, sizes, angles, and dimensions. The script mentions a geometry problem involving finding the values of angles using angle pair relationships, which is a typical task in geometry courses. The apps' ability to solve geometry problems is part of the review.

💡Trigonometry

Trigonometry, often shortened to trig, is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. In the video, the reviewer tests the apps with trigonometric identity problems, which require understanding of trigonometric functions and identities, showcasing the apps' capabilities in advanced math areas.

💡Pre-Calculus

Pre-Calculus is a course that prepares students for calculus, often covering topics like functions, matrices, and sequences. The script discusses the apps' ability to handle pre-calculus problems such as identifying matrices and performing operations with them, which is crucial for students preparing for more advanced math courses.

💡Calculus

Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on limits, derivatives, and integrals. The video script includes a calculus problem involving integration by parts, which is a method used to find integrals of products of functions. The apps' effectiveness in solving calculus problems is part of the evaluation.

💡Premium License

A Premium License in the context of the video refers to a paid subscription service offered by some math apps, like Mathway, which allows users to access detailed steps for solving problems. The reviewer discusses the limitations of the free versions of the apps and the need for a premium license to view steps, which is a significant point in the comparison.

💡Integration by Parts

Integration by Parts is a technique used in calculus to evaluate integrals of products of functions. The video script mentions this method when reviewing the apps' ability to solve calculus problems, specifically indefinite integrals, and whether they can show the steps involved in this process.

💡Factoring

Factoring is a mathematical process of breaking down a complex expression into simpler, more manageable parts. In the video, the reviewer tests the apps' ability to factor expressions using methods like factor by grouping, which is a common algebraic technique.

💡Trig Identities

Trig Identities are equations that hold true for all values of the variables involved, expressing fundamental relationships between trigonometric functions. The script discusses the apps' ability to verify trig identities, which is an important aspect of understanding and applying trigonometry.

💡Socratic Method

The term 'Socratic' in the video refers to the Socratic app, developed by Google, which uses AI technology to assist with various subjects, including math. The app's approach to problem-solving, by providing explanations and linking to external resources, is part of the review's focus.

Highlights

Review of three popular math apps: Mathway, Photomath, and Socratic.

Apps can read and solve math problems with a photo.

Mathway is free but requires a premium subscription for step-by-step solutions.

Photomath offers clear step-by-step solutions, mostly for free.

Socratic is a Google app with AI technology for various subjects.

Socratic provides step-by-step explanations for algebra without payment.

Photomath struggles with geometry problems from textbooks.

Mathway recognized all problems but lacked step explanations in the free version.

Photomath's ability to show steps for free is a significant advantage.

Socratic's performance declines in higher-level math subjects like pre-calculus.

Photomath's detailed steps for calculus problems are highly praised.

Socratic relies on external sites for answers, which may require payment for steps.

Mathway's integration by parts explanation in calculus is appreciated.

The importance of not using these apps for cheating is emphasized.

Photomath is ranked as the top math app for its ease of use and in-depth explanations.

Socratic's initial appeal fades with its inability to recognize some problems.

A call for viewer feedback on the review's usefulness and suggestions for future content.

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