Get step-by-step help with a maths problem

beginner⏱ Rough guide only: 15–30 minutes of being stuck

Last reviewed by Amara Lewis

What is the best AI to help with maths?

ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude can all read a photo of a maths question and explain it step by step for free. Ask them to guide you one step at a time rather than giving the answer, then try a similar question yourself. Always check the final answer, because AI can still make arithmetic mistakes.

Copy-and-paste prompt

Swap the bits in [square brackets] for your own details.

I'm working on this maths problem: [paste or attach photo]. I'm at [level, e.g. Year 9 / GCSE / adult refresher]. Don't give me the answer straight away. Explain the first step and ask me to try the next one. If I get it wrong, show me where I went wrong in simple words. At the end, give me one similar practice question.

How to do it

  1. Open ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude and start a new chat.
  2. Copy the prompt below and replace everything in [square brackets] with your details.
  3. Take a clear photo of the question or type it out exactly.
  4. Try the next step yourself before asking for more help, and check the final answer another way.

What a good answer looks like

Illustrative example written by the AI My Day team to show the kind of answer you can expect. It is not a captured tool output, and real results vary.

Step 1: We want x on its own. The equation is 3x + 7 = 22. What could we do to both sides to get rid of the +7? (You: take 7 away) Yes! 3x = 15. Step 2: now what divides 3x to leave x? … Practice question: Solve 4x − 5 = 27.

Recommended tools

All three can read a photo of a maths problem and explain it step by step; ChatGPT also has a study mode that guides you instead of just giving the answer.

ChatGPT

A general-purpose AI assistant you can chat to by typing, talking or sharing photos.

Free planbeginner

Gemini

Google's AI assistant, which works alongside Gmail, Docs and other Google apps.

Free planbeginner

Claude

An AI assistant known for clear, natural writing and handling long documents.

Free planbeginner

Top tips

  • Ask it to check its own working – AI still makes arithmetic slips.
  • For homework, follow your school's rules on AI use.

Frequently asked questions

Is using AI for maths homework cheating?

It depends on your school's rules. Using it to understand steps is usually fine; copying answers usually isn't.

Why did it get the sum wrong?

Chat AI predicts text, so it can slip on arithmetic. Ask it to double-check, or check with a calculator.

Which AI is best for this?

Not sure which tool suits you? Take the 60-second quiz.

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