When I’m working on algebra homework, I’ll sometimes get stuck on a question that I don’t know how to solve. The math worksheet is due tomorrow so I need to get it done, but I don’t have anyone to ask for help. This is when I’ll usually open the mathway app on my phone. I would take a photo of the question I can’t figure out, and the program will send me the answer and how to solve it. It may feel like cheating, but it gets the job done.

Mathway.com is a popular problem solving tool for students. It’s very easy to use: just take a photo of your problem or type it out manually and enter it. Their calculator will solve it and send you the answer almost instantly. You can also see the step-by-step process by upgrading to the $19.99 monthly subscription. It’s very useful for completing a problem that you’re stuck on or double checking your work. 

I’ve always found mathway really helpful for when I have a math assignment I need to finish, but I’m not sure how to go about solving the problems. It’s so easy to use and I can also have the program check my work. The program also asks what you want them to solve for, so you’ll always get the answer you’re looking for. 

Up until recently, you could see the steps that it takes to solve a problem, and a subscription would allow you to view a more detailed and in-depth explanation so you could really understand the concept. I believe that they changed the program so that if you’re using the free version you can only see the answer and a brief summary of how to solve without showing much work. I’ve been using it recently to solve algebra problems, and although I get the answer to my problem, it won’t show me the steps to solving it. This will be damaging later on, because I need to understand the process of the solution so I can do it on my own in the future. Mathway won’t be able to help me on a test or an exam. 

 AP Statistics teacher Janice Deliz started using Mathway during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“It can be very helpful for students who do their work, but it’s not as helpful if you use it all the time,” she said. 

Personally, I’ll only use Mathway after I’ve at least attempted to complete the problem. Although I don’t get to see the work, I can at least see what the correct answer is and try to work backwards to see how they got there. It’s important I learn the concept behind the math because constantly relying on an app to obtain the answers with ease isn’t going to help me in the long run. 

In the end, If you’re really in a rush and need to finish an assignment quickly, Mathway is the fastest way to get the answers you need. But doing this is only the easy way out. It is better to make sure you go over the work at another time and ask your teacher if you don’t understand something. Mathway can be a helpful tool when used in moderation, so be responsible for when and how often you use it.