CYMATH REVIEW | Best Math App for ALGEBRA

your math tutor
13 May 202106:17

TLDRThe video review discusses the math-solving app Scimath, comparing it with other popular apps like Mathway and Photomath. The reviewer assesses Scimath based on three criteria: ease of use, problem recognition and solving, and step-by-step explanation. While the app is user-friendly and provides clear solutions for algebra problems, it struggles with geometry, trigonometry, and calculus problems, particularly those with diagrams or special notation. Despite its shortcomings in recognizing certain types of problems, Scimath is praised for its detailed and free explanations when it does solve the problems. The reviewer recommends Scimath for students in Algebra 1 and 2 but suggests trying other apps for more advanced math courses.

Takeaways

  • 📱 The app scimath is reviewed for its usability, problem-solving ability, and step-by-step explanation.
  • 📐 The reviewer prefers using the camera feature over typing in problems, which they find time-consuming.
  • 🔍 Scimath has a camera feature that allows users to scan math problems, but it struggles with focusing on the correct problem at times.
  • 📈 The app has moderate popularity with around 10,000 reviews and good ratings between 4.4 and 4.7 on app stores.
  • 🎯 Scimath solves problems quickly and provides detailed solutions, with a clean and color-coded user interface.
  • 🚫 The app has difficulty recognizing problems with diagrams, special notation, trigonometric identities, and matrices.
  • 📚 It performs well with algebra problems, especially algebra 1 and 2, providing clear and free explanations.
  • 📉 The scanner accuracy is inconsistent, sometimes missing or misreading parts of the problem.
  • 📈 For recognized problems, the step-by-step explanations are clear and considered some of the best available.
  • 🔢 The app is recommended for algebra students but may not be as effective for geometry, trigonometry, and higher-level math courses.
  • 🌟 Other apps like Photomath or Mathway might be better suited for users in classes beyond algebra due to scimath's limitations.

Q & A

  • What are the top three criteria the math tutor is looking for in a math solver app?

    -The top three criteria are: 1) How easy it is to use, 2) Its ability to recognize and solve the problems, and 3) Whether it shows the steps to get to the answer.

  • What is the math tutor's favorite math solver app?

    -The math tutor's favorite math solver app is Photomath.

  • How does the math tutor feel about the user interface (UI) of Scimath?

    -The math tutor finds the UI of Scimath to be clean, color-coded, and user-friendly, which contributes to the app being easy to use.

  • What was the issue the tutor faced when trying to use the camera feature of Scimath?

    -The tutor had difficulty getting the camera to focus and scan the specific problem they wanted due to issues with resizing the box to highlight just the problem.

  • How did the tutor rate Scimath's ability to recognize and solve problems?

    -The tutor gave Scimath a grade of 'C' for its ability to recognize and solve problems, as it struggled with certain types of problems and sometimes misread them.

  • What types of problems did Scimath struggle with?

    -Scimath struggled with problems involving diagrams or special notation, such as geometry, trigonometry identities, and matrices.

  • What did the tutor appreciate about the explanations provided by Scimath?

    -The tutor appreciated the clarity and detail of the explanations, especially the inclusion of how to check the answer, which was a feature not seen in other apps.

  • What grade did the tutor give Scimath for showing the steps to solve problems?

    -The tutor gave Scimath an 'A' for showing the steps to solve problems when it correctly recognized them.

  • For which math subjects does the tutor recommend using Scimath?

    -The tutor recommends using Scimath for Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, as it performs well with equations in these subjects.

  • What are the alternatives to Scimath that the tutor suggests for other math subjects?

    -The tutor suggests trying out other apps like Photomath or Mathway for subjects beyond Algebra, such as geometry and trigonometry.

  • How did the tutor rate the overall usability of Scimath?

    -The tutor rated the overall usability of Scimath as a 'B+', noting that while the app is user-friendly, there were issues with the camera feature.

  • What is the tutor's final recommendation regarding the use of Scimath?

    -The tutor recommends Scimath for students in Algebra 1 or 2, but advises those in higher-level math subjects to consider other apps due to Scimath's limitations in recognizing certain problem types.

Outlines

00:00

📱 Scimath App Review Overview

The video script introduces a review of the Scimath app by a math tutor, focusing on its ease of use, problem-solving capabilities, and step-by-step explanations. The tutor prefers math solver apps and uses three main criteria for evaluation: usability, problem recognition and solution, and the clarity of solution steps. The tutor notes that Scimath is moderately popular with good ratings but is not as widely reviewed as competitors like Mathway or Photomath. The initial experience with Scimath's solver is positive, with a clean and intuitive user interface and detailed, color-coded solutions. However, the camera feature for scanning problems presents some difficulties, and the app struggles with recognizing problems involving diagrams, special notation, trigonometric identities, and matrices. Despite these issues, Scimath performs well with algebra problems, providing clear explanations and solutions. The tutor concludes that Scimath is user-friendly but has limitations in problem diversity and accuracy.

05:02

🔍 Scimath's Performance and Recommendations

The tutor evaluates Scimath's performance based on the set criteria. For ease of use, Scimath receives a B+ due to a user-friendly interface but loses points for camera scanning issues. In terms of problem recognition and solution, the app receives a C, as it struggles with certain types of problems and occasionally misreads them. However, when Scimath does recognize a problem, particularly algebraic equations, it provides clear and detailed steps, earning it an A for this criterion. The tutor recommends Scimath for students in algebra due to its effectiveness with equations but suggests that those studying geometry, trigonometry, and higher-level math might find other apps more reliable. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and consider the recommendations provided.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Math Solver Apps

Math solver apps are software tools designed to assist users in solving mathematical problems. They often use optical character recognition (OCR) to interpret handwritten or printed mathematical expressions and provide solutions. In the video, the tutor evaluates how well Scimath, a math solver app, performs in terms of usability, problem recognition, and solution clarity, which are crucial for students and learners.

💡Photomath

Photomath is a popular math solver app that allows users to take a photo of a math problem, and the app provides step-by-step solutions. It is mentioned in the video as the tutor's favorite app, serving as a point of comparison for evaluating Scimath's performance.

💡Recognition and Solution

Recognition refers to the app's ability to accurately identify the mathematical problem presented, and solution pertains to the app providing the correct answer to the problem. The video emphasizes the importance of these features for a math solver app, as they directly impact the user's ability to learn and understand the problem-solving process.

💡Algebra

Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with symbols and the rules governing their manipulation. It is a fundamental area of study in mathematics and is often the subject of problems solved by math solver apps. In the video, the tutor tests Scimath's capabilities with problems ranging from Algebra 1 to Calculus, highlighting the app's performance with algebraic equations.

💡UI (User Interface)

The user interface (UI) is the space where interactions between users and a digital device occur. It includes the design of the app's layout, buttons, and how information is presented. The video discusses the UI of Scimath, noting its user-friendliness and intuitive design, which are essential for an effective learning tool.

💡Camera Feature

The camera feature in a math solver app allows users to take a picture of a math problem instead of typing it in manually. This feature is highlighted in the video as a preferred method for inputting problems due to its speed and convenience. However, the tutor encountered difficulties with Scimath's camera feature, which affected the app's ease of use.

💡Geometry

Geometry is a branch of mathematics that deals with shapes, sizes, and the properties of space. It often involves diagrams and notations that can be challenging for math solver apps to interpret. The video mentions that Scimath struggled with geometry problems, which is a limitation when compared to other apps that handle such problems more effectively.

💡Trigonometry

Trigonometry, often abbreviated as trig, is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. It involves specific identities and functions that are used in solving problems. The video notes that Scimath had difficulty recognizing trigonometric identities, which is a drawback for users studying trigonometry.

💡Calculus

Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change and the accumulation of small quantities to model physical phenomena. It includes concepts like derivatives and integrals. The video shows that Scimath performed well with some calculus problems, such as factoring expressions and calculating derivatives and integrals, which is a positive aspect of the app.

💡Accuracy

Accuracy in the context of math solver apps refers to the app's ability to correctly interpret and solve the presented problems. The video discusses the accuracy of Scimath's scanner, noting that it sometimes missed or misread parts of the problem, which is crucial for the reliability of the app.

💡Free Solutions

Free solutions refer to the app providing step-by-step explanations and answers to math problems without requiring payment for a premium service. The video praises Scimath for offering clear and free solutions, which is a significant advantage for users, especially students, who may not be able to afford premium services.

Highlights

Scimath is a moderately popular math solver app with good user ratings.

The app is praised for its ease of use and intuitive UI.

Users can input problems by typing or using the camera option.

The app has difficulty focusing and scanning certain types of problems.

Scimath provides detailed solutions and explanations.

The app includes a unique feature to check answers.

Scimath struggles with geometry, trigonometry, and problems with diagrams or special notation.

The app performs well with algebra 2 and calculus problems.

Accuracy issues are noted with the scanner, sometimes missing parts of the problem.

Free explanations are provided for recognized problems.

Scimath is recommended for users of algebra 1 and 2 due to its strong performance with equations.

For geometry, trigonometry, and higher-level math, other apps might be more suitable.

The app's recognition of problems and the clarity of its explanations are highly praised.

Photomath and Mathway are suggested as alternatives for users in higher-level math classes.

The reviewer is a math tutor and provides additional study tips and tutorials on their channel.