In May 2022, Google announced that it was acquiring a math problem-solving app called Photomath. The deal was closed last year, after a regulatory analysis, but Google only today added the application to its Play Store publisher account. Thanks to this new feature, you only have to take a photo to solve a math problem. Whatever it is.
Need to solve a math problem? Take a picture!
Photomath lets you take a photo of a math equation, including word problems, to get step-by-step explanations on how to solve it. It supports elementary math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus.
Based in Croatia, the free application arrived in 2014 and the acquisition was subject to regulatory review by the European Commission. Approval arrived last March and the team has been part of Google since 2023.
Earlier this week, Photomath on the Play Store and iOS App Store switched to Google's publisher account. It has over 100 million downloads and a 4.5 rating on Android. The app offers an optional Photomath Plus subscription with “Textbook Solutions”, animated tutorials and in-depth explanations for 9 euros per month.
However, we remember that Google previously purchased an application called Socratic that does something similar. However, it last changed in 2020.
Meanwhile, Google Lens already offers a prominent “Homework” filter that lets you take a photo of problems, while Google Search can help with trigonometry, calculus, and geometry through a dedicated experience.
Photomath-specific functionality is assumed to come to Google Lens and Search over time. That said, maintaining a standalone application with a pretty good name also has its advantages.