6 Math Websites and Apps to Help Solve Math Problems
As the end of the semester draws near, many students are reviewing materials and completing any outstanding assignments to try and get the best grade that they can in each class.
One subject that students can find challenging is math. Even if a student understands the larger concepts, little mistakes can have a domino effect. For example, forgetting a negative number, improperly simplifying a fraction, or making an error in graphing can affect the final result and can cause frustration with students.
Luckily, there are websites and apps available that can help students solve math problems. Like all tools and resources, the key is in how you utilize them. While most of these resources below will provide answers to math problems, more importantly, students can use these tools to assist themselves in their understanding of topics. These services will not be available for students on tests and quizzes, so the goal of these tools is to assist students in solving problems without using these tools in the future.
Mathway (https://www.mathway.com/Algebra)
Our first tool is excellent with a lot of versatility. Students can insert problems and solve problems in a few different ways. For example, when you input a quadratic equation, such as y=x2+2x+1, students can find the factored form of this function, find the roots, and rewrite the equation in vertex form. Mathway has an option to see a graph, as well. Mathway also has a drop-down menu to change to different math topics. By clicking on a specific math topic, like algebra, users can find particular functions on the keyboard to make typing in problems easier.
While the functions above are all free for anyone to use, the best feature comes from subscribing to the paid account. With the paid version, not only can students check their answers to problems, but they can see the steps to solve them. When studying or working through problems, it is crucial to see how to go from problem to solution. The paid version has two subscription options, $9.99/month or $39.99/year.
A history of previous problems is saved through the paid account for students to refer back, rather than retyping and solving problems.
This tool is also available as an app on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store. Students have the additional option to take a photo of math problems in place of typing in the problem through the app.
Microsoft Math (https://math.microsoft.com/en)
Another excellent tool similar to the one above is Microsoft Math. Available on a desktop or as an app through the Apple App Store or Google Play store, we like this tool for many reasons. This website is completely free, and students can type (or draw on the app), solve problems, and look at the steps to do so.
We absolutely love this app because not only can you find the answers and steps for free, but students can also look at related videos or PDFs from the web. Again, these tools are best when used to further your learning, so finding video lessons about the topics a student is learning can answer questions that students may have in the solving process. Microsoft Math also has a stored history of problems for students to refer back when needed.
This tool is excellent when solving purely mathematical problems, but we have come across minor issues when words are in the problem. One specific example was when we were trying to solve a calculus problem formatted in an “if, then” problem statement, Microsoft Math did not recognize the words.
Desmos (https://www.desmos.com/calculator)
Desmos is a tool that has been integrated into many online school platforms and textbooks. This site has a scientific calculator available but is often used as a graphing calculator. Students can input functions and equations on the left-hand side of the screen, and Desmos will show a graph to the right. This tool will also highlight important points on the graph, including intercepts and points of intersection (if a system of equations is given).
At Delta Learning Space, we use this site often (most commonly to verify a student’s graph or a list of points). However, we also use this tool in calculus when solving definite integrals. For those problems, understanding the nature of the graph is essential when finding areas under or between curves.
This site is entirely free for users and, like the others above, is found on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store. The most significant difference between the app and the desktop version is the orientation of the screen.
Screenshot of Desmos on a desktop. Image shows two equations of the left side and their corresponding graphs in the window on the right-hand side.
Photomath (https://photomath.com/en/)
This website and app are popular among students. Most commonly used as an app, students can take a photo of a problem, and the app will “read” the problem and provide an answer. There is also a button for students to click to show the steps involved in solving the problem.
This website and app offer a free version with the capabilities above, but they also have a Plus version. Photomath Plus includes an “Explain Steps” button. In addition to the steps to solve, students can have more aids to understand the “why” and the “how.” We want students to be able to solve complex math problems, but more importantly we want them to understand why the steps are needed to solve the problem. That way in the future, they can solve similar problems or problems with a slight difference.
Problems in many different textbooks are also available through Photomath Plus. On the app, students can search by ISBN or browse through the many texts in their collection. Their collection ranges from elementary math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and more.
Photomath Plus is available on a subscription basis at $9.99 per month or $4.99 per month for 12 months.
Screenshot of Photomath Plus App. This image shows a few textbook answers that Photomath Plus has available for users.
Screenshot of the Photomath App that shows the answer to inputted calculus problem.
Calculator Apps:
Taculator (https://www.taculator.com/)
and Calculate84 (https://www.calculate84.com/)
These two apps are very similar to each other. They are both scientific calculator apps available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play store. Taculator is a subscription app and costs users $14.99 per year. Calculate 84 at the moment has been made free for users due to Covid, but we are not sure if it will cost in the future.
We love these apps at Delta Learning Space because students can always have their calculators with them! They mirror physical scientific calculators, with Taculator closely resembling the TI-Nspire and the Calculate84 app corresponding closely with the TI-84 calculator. Having similar calculators to those students will use during class, quizzes, or tests is important because it is vital to know the steps and how to use their calculators to solve them successfully.
Screenshot of the Taculator App on an iPhone.
Screenshot of the Calculate84 App on an iPhone.
Math can be a complex subject for many students. We are here to help guide students, reinforce ideas and concepts, and help students on their journey to independent learning. Utilizing calculators, websites, and apps to further their education is an important skill to develop.
