Photomath

Last updated

Photomath
Developer(s) Photomath, Inc.
Initial release2014 (2014)
Stable release(s) [±]
Android8.42.0 / January 13, 2025;43 days ago (2025-01-13) [1]
iOS8.41.0 / January 22, 2025;34 days ago (2025-01-22) [2]
Written in Java (Android/Windows)
Operating system Android, iOS
Available in32 languages [3]
Type Education Technology
License Freeware, proprietary
Website photomath.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]

Contents

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 contributions 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". Google Play. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  2. ↑ "Photomath on the App Store". App Store . Apple Inc. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "How to change app language?". Photomath Help. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 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 k 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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