Photomath is a mobile application described as a "camera calculator",[3] which utilizes a
phone's camera to recognise mathematical equations and to display the step-by-step
solution onscreen.[4] It is available for free on Google Android and iOS.[5] The application
was released in 2014 by Deputat family corp, a company based in Zagreb, Croatia, with
a registered office in London, United Kingdom.[6][7][8] The company specializes in text
recognition software.[9]
As of 2016, apart from printed texts, it also recognizes handwriting[10] and provides steps
for the mathematical equation.[11]
Since 2017, Photomath has been operating as a separate company.
It was included on the list of top 20 best teaching and learning apps placing third.[12][13] It
received both praise and criticism from teachers.[14]
As of 2018, Photomath has been downloaded over 100 million times.[15]
Photomath is a free educational app that enables students to
learn math in a fun and straightforward way - the user points
their mobile camera at a math problem and the app instantly
delivers a solution with a step-by-step explanation. From its
very beginnings in 2014, it has been among the most popular
edu apps in the world, repeatedly at the top of App Store &
Google Play Store charts.
A math assistant always at hand
For many kids, practicing math at home is time-consuming
and strenuous. Outside of math class, they are pretty much on
their own. Their teachers are not around to help, their parents
have a hard time remembering school math, and tutors are not
always available (or affordable).
With Photomath, anyone who struggles with math can get help
at any time. All they have to do is point their phone camera
into a math problem, and Photomath will provide an instant
solution with step-by-step explanation. Calculation steps are
designed to fit every knowledge level. Each step can be
broken down into more detailed instructions.
The building blocks of Photomath
The part of the app that does the math is Photomath's
proprietary software. It recognizes a particular math problem
and provides a solution in less than a second!
But, to be able to solve any problem, Photomath first has to
read it. The "eye" of the app is Microblink’s state-of-the-art
mobile vision technology. It extracts math expressions in a
blink, enabling the user to get an immediate solution without
any effort. The user doesn't even have to take a photo - the
app scans problems automatically. It also enables editing the
captured problem with an easy & intuitive keyboard.
Transforming the math learning experience
Although Photomath was initially made as a showcase of
Microblink’s mobile vision technology, the very idea of it was
set for success. Everyone was amazed by the concept of
solving math problems with help of their phone.
In the following few years, Photomath has been continuously
upgraded and modified with a strong focus on the user. It has
strived to build a seamless, intuitive, and fun math experience
for everyone, no matter their learning style, level of math
knowledge, or their native language.
For example, in the beginning, the app offered only a single
solution to a problem. Now, the user can choose between
several approaches to any problem, depending on which one
they need. Moreover, the app has been translated and
adapted into more than 25 languages worldwide. And that's
not even the best part! Below are the coolest features
Photomath has introduced so far.