3 ways AI can help you get better at math ➗✖️

Have you ever felt stuck on a math problem even after watching tons of videos or reading your textbook over and over? Don't worry — you’re not alone!

You can use AI for math as a tutor that can guide you step by step, explain mistakes, and even create practice problems just for you!

AI for math can help you reach the right answer by checking your problem-solving steps. It can give you hints when you're stuck in the process. AI can even create math problems that match your math level!

Photo by Steinar Engeland on Unsplash

Here is how to prompt AI for math:

• Be specific about what you're solving and what step you're on. 📋

• Ask AI to check your work before moving on. ✅

• Ask AI to generate similar problems for extra practice. 📝

Example prompts:

• "I’m solving 2x + 5 = 15. I subtracted 5 from both sides. Is this right? What should I do next?"

• "Can you make some algebra problems for a 7th-grade student to practice?"

You know your answer is not quite right, but don't know where you went wrong?

Explain your thinking to AI. It will help you find mistakes and fix them. This way, you won’t just memorize formulas — you’ll understand them!

Here is how to prompt AI for math:

• Explain your problem-solving process in detail. 🗒️

• Ask AI to highlight the mistake rather than just giving the right answer. 🧐

• Request a detailed explanation of the correct method. ✏️

Example prompts:

• "I solved 3(x - 2) = 9 and got x = 1. Can you tell me where I made a mistake?"

• "I don’t understand negative exponents. I think 2 ^ (-3) = -8. Where did I go wrong?"

• "Can you help me find the mistake in my geometry proof? Don’t just give me the answer, but guide me through fixing it."

You might find a source that is not in your language, or you need extra help to use it.

AI can help students who speak different languages or have difficulty reading math problems. It can translate problems or read them out loud!

Here is how to prompt AI for math:

• Ask for translations with explanations, not just direct translations. 🌐

• Request AI to read problems aloud or describe visual elements. 🗣️

• Request explanations in a beginner-friendly manner. 😌

Example prompts:

• "Can you read this equation out loud for me with step-by-step instructions?"

• "This problem is in French. Can you translate it into English and explain how to solve it?"

• "I’m struggling with word problems. Can you rewrite this one in simpler language?"

Now you know the uses of AI for math...it's time to check your understanding!

Read the scenarios below, and find the reason why the learner is not getting the help they want from AI.

Scenario #1

Maria is getting ready for her algebra test. She asks AI: "Help me with algebra."👩🏾‍🦰

Why is this prompt not helpful? 🤔

A. AI needs more details about what you're working on.

B. AI doesn’t understand algebra.

C. AI can only answer multiple-choice questions.

D. AI will always solve the problem for you instead of guiding you.

Scenario #2

Jake made a mistake in a calculus problem, and he wonders why. He asks AI: "I solved 5x + 3 = 18 and got x = 20. Is that right?" 👱🏼‍♂️

Why is this prompt not helpful? 🤔

A. AI only checks for conceptual mistakes, not calculation mistakes.

B. It doesn’t show how you got the answer, so AI can’t explain where you went wrong.

C. AI doesn’t know how to work with equations.

D. AI will assume the answer is correct and won’t check it.

AI for math can be a great study buddy. It gives you feedback, checks your work, and even helps with translations!

But don’t just rely on AI for quick answers. Use it to improve your problem-solving skills, understand concepts better, and become more confident in math.

Try using the prompts in this Byte and see how AI can help you become a math pro! 💡

To use AI for math: