Photomath
Developer(s)Photomath, Inc.
Initial release2014 (2014)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android8.36.0 / March 18, 2024; 37 days ago (2024-03-18)[1]
iOS8.35.0 / January 30, 2024; 2 months ago (2024-01-30)[2]
Written inJava (Android/Windows)
Operating systemAndroid, iOS
Available in32 languages[3]
TypeEducation Technology
LicenseFreeware, proprietary
Websitephotomath.com

Photomath is an educational technology mobile app, owned by Google. It features a computer algebra system with an augmented optical character recognition system, designed for use with a smartphone's camera to scan and recognize mathematical equations; the app then displays step-by-step explanations onscreen.[4]

The app is based on a text recognition engine developed by Microblink, a company based in London and Croatia and led by founder Damir Sabol, which also includes the developers of both Photomath and Photopay.[5][6] Photomath LLC was legally registered in San Mateo, California. In 2021, Photomath announced $23 million in Series B funding led by Menlo Ventures,[7][8] with contrbutions from GSV Ventures, Learn Capital, Cherubic Ventures, and Goodwater Capital.[9]

In May 2022, Google announced it would acquire the company for an undisclosed amount. After review by the European Commission, the deal received approval in March 2023[10] and concluded in June. This takeover represented the largest startup acquisition in Croatian history, with Photomath being the nation's leading app at that time. This acquisition was cited as a strategic move by Google in response to ChatGPT.[11] Upon Photomath's dissolution, Sabol transitioned to the role of Director of Software Engineering at Google.[12] As of February 29, 2024, Google has integrated the app into its Play Store publisher portfolio.[13]

Description

Photomath utilizes the camera of a user's smartphone or tablet to scan and identify mathematical problems.[4] Upon recognition, the app displays the steps to solve the problem. The app presents these steps through various methods and approaches, elucidating the problem-solving process in a step-by-step manner to educate users.

Starting in 2016, the app expanded its capabilities to include handwriting recognition, alongside printed text, allowing students to scan both textbooks and handwritten mathematical notes.[14][15]

In 2017, Photomath was recognized by The Tech Edvocate as one of the top 20 teaching and learning applications.[16][17]

While Photomath is predominantly free, it also provides a subscription-based service, ‘Photomath Plus’, which enhances functionality with features like solving mathematical word problems and providing solutions to textbook exercises.[18][19][20]

As of 2021, Photomath boasts over 220 million downloads globally, with its official website reporting the resolution of 2.2 billion problems monthly and adoption by over 1 million educators.[21][22]

References

  1. ^ "Photomath APKs". APKMirror. Android Police. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Photomath on the App Store". App Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  3. ^ "How to change app language?". Photomath Help. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b Wiggers, Kyle (18 February 2021). "AI-powered math tutoring app Photomath raises $23 million". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  5. ^ "MicroBlink Launches PhotoMath to Solve Math Equations with a Phone". 20 October 2014. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Mobile App Photomath Raises $6 Million in Series A - EdSurge News". 7 November 2018. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Our Investment in Photomath: Changing the Future of Math Tutoring". Menlo Ventures. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Croatia's Photomath raises $23mn funding". 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  9. ^ FinSMEs (18 February 2021). "Photomath Raises $23M in Series B Funding". FinSMEs. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  10. ^ "EU regulators clear Google's maths app deal". Reuters. 28 March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  11. ^ Ivezić, Bernard (2 June 2023). "Google potvrdio za Jutarnji list: Dovršili smo najveću startup akviziciju u povijesti Hrvatske" [Google confirmed to Jutarnji list: We completed the largest startup acquisition in the history of Croatia]. Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  12. ^ Sabol, Damir. "Damir Sabol". LinkedIn. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  13. ^ Li, Abner (29 February 2024). "Photomath is officially Google's latest app on the Play Store". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Updated Photomath app can now solve handwritten math problems". 25 September 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  15. ^ "STIGLA NOVA VERZIJA GENIJALNE HRVATSKE APLIKACIJE Photomath od Sada prepoznaje I rukopis korisnika prilikom rješavanja matematičkih problem!". 21 September 2016. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  16. ^ "The Tech Edvocate's List of the 20 Best Teaching and Learning Apps - The Tech Edvocate". 5 January 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  17. ^ "Photomath u 20 najboljih edukativnih aplikacija". 7 January 2017. Archived from the original on 23 March 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  18. ^ "Math learning app Photomath raises $23 million as it reaches 220 million downloads". TechCrunch. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Photomath Plus". photomath.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  20. ^ "What a year..." Facebook. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Photomath - Scan. Solve. Learn". photomath.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Photomath for Teachers". photomath.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2021.

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