CYMATH REVIEW | Best Math App for ALGEBRA

In this review, the presenter evaluates the math application scimath based on three key criteria: ease of use, problem recognition and solution, and step-by-step explanation. The app is praised for its user-friendly interface and clear, free explanations, particularly for algebra problems. However, it falls short in recognizing problems with diagrams or special notations and struggles with certain types of problems like trigonometric identities and matrices. The presenter recommends scimath for algebra students but suggests trying other apps for those studying geometry and beyond.

Takeaways

• 📱 The app Scimath is reviewed for its ease of use, problem-solving capabilities, and step-by-step explanations.
• 👍 Scimath is favored for its clean and color-coded user interface, which is user-friendly and intuitive.
• 📷 The camera feature for scanning problems was noted to be challenging at times, particularly with focusing and scanning specific problems.
• 🔢 The app performed well with algebra problems, providing detailed solutions and even explaining how to check answers.
• 🚫 Scimath struggled with geometry, trigonometry identities, and matrices, failing to recognize problems with diagrams or special notation.
• 📚 For algebra 2 and calculus, Scimath was successful in factoring expressions and calculating derivatives and integrals once the correct problem was identified.
• 🤔 The scanner's accuracy was inconsistent, sometimes missing or misreading parts of the problem.
• 🆓 One of the strengths of Scimath is that it provides clear explanations for recognized problems without the need for a premium subscription.
• 🎓 The app is particularly recommended for students of algebra due to its effectiveness with algebraic equations.
• ⚠️ For subjects like geometry and trigonometry, the app's performance is variable, and users might consider alternatives.
• 🌟 When Scimath successfully recognizes a problem, it provides some of the best explanations in terms of clarity.
• 📈 The reviewer suggests trying other apps like Photomath or Mathway for a broader range of math subjects.

Q & A

What is the name of the app being reviewed in the transcript?

The app being reviewed is called Scimath.

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

The top three criteria are: ease of use, ability to recognize and solve problems, and whether it shows the steps to get to the answer.

How does the tutor rate the user interface and overall usability of Scimath?

The tutor rates Scimath's user interface and usability as a B+, noting it is user-friendly and intuitive but had some issues with the camera feature.

What issue did the tutor face when trying to use the camera feature of Scimath?

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

How did Scimath perform with problems that were not straightforward equations?

Scimath struggled with problems that included diagrams, special notation, trig identities, and matrices. It was not able to pick up these types of problems effectively.

What did the tutor appreciate about the solution details provided by Scimath for the problems it could solve?

The tutor appreciated the level of detail, the clean and color-coded user interface, and the inclusion of how to check the answer, which is a feature not commonly found in other apps.

How did Scimath handle calculus problems according to the tutor's experience?

Scimath performed well on calculus problems such as factoring expressions, calculating derivatives, and solving indefinite integrals once the correct problem was recognized.

What was the tutor's overall recommendation for the Scimath app?

The tutor recommends Scimath for anyone in Algebra 1 or 2, as it picks up equations well. However, for geometry, trigonometry, and higher-level math, the tutor suggests trying other apps like Photomath or Mathway due to Scimath's mixed performance.

What is the rating of Scimath on Google Play and Apple Store according to the transcript?

Scimath has pretty good ratings between 4.4 and 4.7 on both Google Play and Apple Store.

How many reviews does Scimath have on Google Play and Apple Store combined?

Scimath has about 10,000 reviews combined on Google Play and Apple Store.

What feature of Scimath allows users to solve mathematical problems without typing them in?

Scimath has a camera option that allows users to solve mathematical problems by taking a picture instead of typing them in.

What is the tutor's favorite math solver app mentioned in the transcript?

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

What is the main advantage of math solver apps for students according to the tutor?

The main advantage is that they help students quickly recognize and solve problems, showing the steps to understand and learn how to do the problems in the future.

Outlines

00:00

📱 Scimath App Review: User Experience and Features

The video begins with the math tutor introducing the Scimath app, expressing their enthusiasm for math solvers and noting their preference for Photomath. The tutor outlines the criteria for evaluating the app: ease of use, problem recognition and solving, and the clarity of solution steps. The tutor mentions that Scimath is moderately popular with good ratings but fewer reviews compared to apps like Mathway and Photomath. The review process involves testing the app with a range of math problems, from algebra to calculus. The tutor prefers using the camera feature over typing in problems and notes difficulties in focusing the camera to scan specific problems accurately. Despite this, once a problem is recognized, Scimath provides detailed and clear solutions, including a unique feature of showing how to check answers. However, the app struggles with geometry, trigonometry identities, and matrices, which disappoints the tutor. The tutor concludes that Scimath performs well with algebra problems but is less reliable for other types of math problems.

05:02

🔍 Scimath's Performance in Problem Recognition and Solution Clarity

The tutor evaluates Scimath based on its problem recognition and solution clarity. They give Scimath a B+ for ease of use, praising the user-friendly interface but noting issues with the camera feature. For problem recognition and solving, Scimath receives a C due to difficulties in accurately picking up problems and its limited effectiveness with certain types of problems. 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 but suggests that those studying geometry and higher-level math might find other apps more reliable. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and consider the tutor's other math reviews, study tips, and tutorials.

Keywords

Math Solver

A math solver is an application or software that assists users in solving mathematical problems. In the context of the video, it is a tool that helps with homework and test preparation by scanning and recognizing mathematical problems to provide solutions and steps. The video's theme revolves around reviewing the effectiveness of a specific math solver app called 'scimath'.

Photomath

Photomath is a popular math solver application that allows users to take a picture of a math problem, and the app then provides step-by-step solutions. It is mentioned in the video as the tutor's favorite app, setting a benchmark for comparison with the 'scimath' app being reviewed.

Recognition

Recognition in the context of the video refers to the app's ability to accurately identify and interpret the mathematical problems that users present. It is a critical aspect of math solver apps, as it determines the app's effectiveness in providing solutions. The video discusses the challenges faced when 'scimath' struggles to recognize certain problems.

Steps

Steps are the sequential instructions or processes that lead to the solution of a mathematical problem. The video emphasizes the importance of an app showing steps as it aids in understanding and learning how to solve problems independently. 'Scimath' is praised for its clear presentation of steps when it successfully recognizes problems.

Algebra

Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with symbols and the rules governing their manipulation. It is a core subject in the video, as the tutor tests 'scimath' with problems ranging from Algebra 1 to Calculus. The app's performance with algebraic equations is a significant part of the review.

Geometry

Geometry is a mathematical discipline concerned with the properties and relationships of points, lines, surfaces, and higher-dimensional spaces. The video discusses the app's limitations when it comes to recognizing and solving geometry problems, which are often more complex due to the inclusion of diagrams and special notations.

Trigonometry

Trigonometry, often abbreviated as 'trig', is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. The video highlights that 'scimath' struggles with recognizing trigonometric identities, which is a disappointment as other apps are known to handle such problems.

Calculus

Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change and accumulation of small quantities. The video demonstrates that 'scimath' can solve some calculus problems, such as factoring expressions, calculating derivatives, and indefinite integrals, after overcoming initial recognition issues.

User Interface (UI)

The user interface (UI) refers to the design and layout of a software application, which affects the user's interaction and experience. The video mentions that 'scimath' has a clean and color-coded UI, which is user-friendly and intuitive, contributing positively to the app's ease of use.

Accuracy

Accuracy in the context of the video pertains to the app's ability to correctly read and solve the mathematical problems presented to it. The reviewer found that the scanner in 'scimath' was sometimes inaccurate, missing elements of the problem or misreading them, which affects the app's reliability.

Ratings

Ratings are the numerical scores given by users to reflect their satisfaction with an app. The video provides information about 'scimath's ratings on Google Play and Apple Store, highlighting that while it is moderately popular, it has good ratings, which is an indicator of its overall quality and usefulness.

Highlights

The app scimath is reviewed for its ease of use, problem recognition and solving, and step-by-step explanations.

The reviewer prefers math solver apps that allow quick scanning and clear step-by-step solutions.

Scimath is a moderately popular app with good ratings on both Google Play and Apple Store.

The app allows users to type in problems or use the camera option for scanning.

The reviewer experienced difficulty in focusing the camera to scan a specific algebra problem.

Once scanned, scimath provided a detailed and clean solution with color-coded UI.

The app includes a unique feature of explaining how to check the answer.

Scimath struggled with problems involving diagrams or special notation in geometry and trigonometry.

The app did not recognize trig identities or matrices, unlike some other math solver apps.

In algebra 2 and calculus, scimath successfully factored expressions and calculated derivatives and integrals.

The scanner's accuracy was inconsistent, sometimes missing or misreading parts of the problem.

When scimath recognized a problem, the explanations were clear and free of charge.

The user interface of scimath is user-friendly and intuitive.

The camera feature was challenging to use, affecting the app's ease of use.

Scimath's problem recognition is limited, particularly with more complex or varied math problems.

The step-by-step explanations when the app recognizes a problem are highly clear and detailed.

The app is particularly useful for algebra 1 and 2 equations but less reliable for higher-level math classes.

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

The reviewer recommends scimath for algebra students but suggests exploring alternatives for other math classes.