The Photomath app can solve simple problems just by looking at them Rhett Allain

Do you have math homework? Are you in a hurry to finish that page of 30 algebra problems? Worry no more, check out this app -- PhotoMath. Basically, it just uses your phone's camera to look at your math problem and BOOM. Problem sovled. It's a really cool idea -- even if it doesn't always work perfectly. However, it shows the potential of smart phone with math homework. Soon, there will be some app (or this one) that can figure out all your homework. Not just math. I, for one, welcome that day.

But won't students just use this to cheat on their homework?


Yes. Well, probably yes. I guess an instructor could make it "illegal" to use a phone on the homework, but how could they enforce this rule? Students have always been able to cheat on homework. They could get their friends to help them, they could get a tutor to give the solutions. If you type an equation into Wolfram Alpha, it will give an excellent solution.

Really, the only new thing here is that the level of effort to cheat has been reduced. Oh, not you. I wasn't talking about you. I know you are only using this to "check" your answers. Got it.

Why is this app a good thing?

Let me start with an analogy. Suppose there was a running class.


Oh, maybe it's a cross country track team -- it doesn't really matter. The point is that there is a group of people that are practicing by running. Now someone invents a motorcycle. Check it out. If you want to run 4 miles, you could instead hop on this awesome technology and get there fast -- zoom. Wouldn't that be awesome?

Yes. Using a motorcycle for running practice would be silly. The point of running isn't to get from point A to point B. Instead people run for exercise and to get better at running. But why would anyone run when they could just ride? Running isn't just about running. It's about physical health, it's about building muscles and skills. A good runner can do things other than just run.

The motorcycle is the PhotoMath app (and others like it). Yes, it can get you to the finish line - but that's not always the point.

Let's focus on the problems that only humans can solve.

I hope you don't get the wrong idea. I'm not really fond of simple algebraic problems. I think they are boring. But sometimes you just have to do boring things -- like wash dishes, pushups, editing documents....


There are other problems besides these tedious types that the PhotoMath app can solve. There are problems that only humans can figure out (at least for now). These are the kind of problems that get me excited. Need some examples? Here you go.

There. That should keep you busy for a while. I would love to see an app that can solve those problems. Although, even if there were such an awesome app (I assume that someday there will be), I will still solve these problems myself. I still run and ride a bike even though I have a car.

This article originally appeared on Wired.com