Photomath is a math camera-solver app that scans a problem and shows the solution with step-by-step explanations. Point the camera at a printed problem, including word problems, or type it into the smart calculator, and a solution appears, sometimes with several methods to choose from. Custom visual aids and extra how and why tips explain the reasoning behind each step. Coverage runs from elementary math through algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus. The Basic plan is free, and paid options cost $9.99 per month or $69.99 per year.
Students from elementary school to college are the main users, particularly those who get stuck on homework and want to learn the method rather than copy an answer. Parents helping with assignments can check a solution quickly, and tutors can use the visual explanations as a teaching aid. Learners who feel anxious about math can work through a problem one step at a time at their own speed. The company publishes study tips and articles on math anxiety and different learning styles for people building confidence.
A high school student working on a quadratic equation can scan the page, read each step, and compare an alternative method to see why it works. A middle schooler stuck on a word problem can use the scan feature to see how it is set up. A college freshman reviewing calculus before an exam can step through derivatives and check each line of reasoning. Study groups use the explanations to settle disagreements about an answer, and teachers can point to the steps when reviewing a concept in class.
