App Showcase: Mathway

What it does

Mathway is a powerful tool designed to help students and professionals solve a wide range of mathematical problems. Users can either snap a photo of a handwritten or printed problem or use a suite of specialized keyboards to enter it manually. The app quickly provides the final answer and, for subscribed users, offers detailed step-by-step instructions on how to arrive at the solution.

Where it shines

Mathway excels in its directness and utility. The core loop from scanning a problem to seeing a solution is incredibly fast and effective, as seen from 00:23 to 00:32. This provides immediate gratification and builds trust. The app's collection of contextual keyboards (03:47) is another highlight, making it remarkably easy to input complex equations for subjects ranging from Algebra to Chemistry. Finally, the embedded definitions for mathematical terms (02:31) add a layer of educational value directly within the solution flow.

UX highlights

• Scan-to-Solve: The camera input is the star feature, allowing users to get answers from physical documents with impressive speed (00:28).
• Contextual Keyboards: Instead of one cluttered keyboard, the app offers multiple, subject-specific keyboards that make finding relevant symbols and functions simple (04:22).
• Integrated Graphing: The graphing calculator is seamlessly integrated, allowing users to visualize functions they've entered without leaving the app (05:42).
• Embedded Definitions: Tapping underlined terms like 'Factor' (02:31) brings up a concise definition, providing just-in-time learning support.
• Clear History: The history tab (06:03) provides a simple, visual log of all solved problems, making it easy for users to review their work.
• Skippable Tutorial: The initial tutorial (00:04) is brief and can be closed, respecting users who want to dive straight into the app.

Monetization & growth

Mathway uses a freemium model with a soft paywall. The app cleverly provides the final answer to problems for free, demonstrating its value upfront. The monetization trigger occurs when a user wants to understand how the solution was reached by tapping 'View steps' (00:35), which then presents a paywall for a subscription that unlocks detailed explanations. The paywall itself (00:37) clearly outlines the benefits and offers both monthly and annual plans, with the annual option framed by its lower monthly cost. An in-app rating prompt also appears after a user has successfully received a solution and given positive feedback (06:14), capturing high-intent users.

Who it’s for

This app is primarily for high school and college students who need help with homework across a variety of math and science subjects. Its utility also extends to teachers, engineers, and anyone who needs to solve complex math problems quickly. The simple interface makes it accessible for those who are not math experts, while the depth of its capabilities serves more advanced users.

Notes & opportunities

The sign-up and login process is handled through a Chegg web view (00:41), which can feel slightly disjointed from the native app experience. While functional, a fully native sign-up flow could feel more integrated. Additionally, after solving a problem, the main call to action is to subscribe; an option to immediately scan another problem could reduce a step for free users who are batch-solving.