A free app that solves handwritten equations

Write math equations in a notebook, take pictures of them with your smart device, and get directions to solve them and answers. Science fiction? No, it's now possible and it's free!

Technology now allows smart devices to recognize a handwritten mathematical equation and solve it. This is the case of the free application Photomath, which not only instantly gives the answer, but also provides the detailed steps to solve it.

Photomath is notably able to recognize arithmetic equations and linear equations. It is also able to locate fractions and decimals, and even advanced functions, such as the logarithmic function. Finally, the application even allows the recognition of integral calculus, derivative calculus and trigonometry, but cannot, for the moment, propose the steps of resolution. However, this option will be available shortly.

Clear educational potential

The educational potential of this photo calculator is important since it indicates not only the answer, but also the way to solve the equation in question. Thanks to it, the pupils can, first of all, check whether they arrive at the correct answer. Then they can get information, clarification, and direction on how to fix the problem. This is very interesting for students who have difficulty in mathematics: the details can help them remember certain stages of the calculation. Photomath is also an interesting tool for teachers, for example by becoming a platform on which to offer formative exercises.

A quick glance at this video from application demonstration should be enough to convince you of its potential and its educational utility.

For now, the Photomath photo calculator is available for iOS only. A Android version will be soon launched. The application is available in French as well as in several other languages.