A new smartphone app will do their math homework for them, provided it's not too complicated. PhotoMath by microblink uses a phone's camera to solve equations and then teaches you the step-by-step method for solving it yourself.

 

The app can do arithmetic: addition, subtraction¹, division and multiplication². It can handle fractions. It knows what 2³ is and can calculate the root of 246. It can even do simple linear equations, provided the x you're solving for is italicized so the app doesn't confuse it with the x multiplication symbol.

 

The only catch is that the equation you're trying to solve must be printed text, rather than handwritten. So forget trying to calculate that tip by scribbling³ it on a restaurant napkin. (Don't worry, there's already a million apps for that.)

 

The app may pose a problem for schools are already dealing⁴ with smartphone overload⁵. Math teachers will have to be extra vigilant⁶ during tests to prevent students from cheating.

 

The PhotoMath app is available for iPhones and Windows phones and is coming to Android phones in 2015.

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