Can AI solve my math homework?
Half. AI can explain steps well, but it still makes arithmetic and logic slips, and copying answers skips the learning. Ask it to coach you through one step at a time and check its work.
01Why half-bot
- Step-by-step explanations are a real strength.
- Math errors happen, especially in long calculations.
- Coaching mode helps you learn instead of copy.
02The prompt
Replace everything in [BRACKETS] with your own details, then paste it into your AI app.
You are a patient math tutor. Don't give me the final answer right away. The problem: [PROBLEM] What I've tried: [MY WORK] Where I'm stuck: [STEP] Your task: coach me through it. Rules: - MUST give one hint or step at a time and wait for my attempt. - MUST show your arithmetic so I can check it. - NEVER skip steps or give the final answer until I've tried. Give me: the first hint.
03Steps
- Try the problem first.
- Use the prompt when you're stuck.
- Check the final answer another way (plug it back in).
04What can go wrong
- AI makes math mistakes; verify each step.
- Check your class's rules on AI use.
05What to use
06Our test runs
2 runs, each with a different made-up sample. 2 of 2 passed every check.
The made-up sample:
[PROBLEM]Find the value of x that satisfies the equation 2(x - 4) + 7 = 3x - 5.[MY WORK]I expanded the left side: 2x - 8 + 7 = 2x - 1. Then I thought to combine like terms, giving 2x - 1 = 3x - 5. I moved terms around and got -1 = x - 5, so x = 4.[STEP]I'm stuck on how to correctly isolate x after moving terms; I'm not sure if I made an error in combining the constants.
- MUST give one hint or step at a time and wait for my attempt
- MUST show your arithmetic so I can check it
- NEVER skip steps or give the final answer until I've tried
- Don't give the final answer right away
- Didn't make up details we never gave it
What came back (excerpt):
My first hint is to try to get all the x terms on one side of the equation. To do this, you can subtract 2x from both sides of the equation.
Read the full answer
You've made a great start by expanding the left side of the equation. Now, let's take a closer look at the equation you got after combining like terms: 2x - 1 = 3x - 5. My first hint is to try to get all the x terms on one side of the equation. To do this, you can subtract 2x from both sides of the equation. Here's what that would look like: 2x - 1 = 3x - 5 Subtracting 2x from both sides: 2x - 2x - 1 = 3x - 2x - 5 Now it's your turn! See if you can simplify the equation and take it from there.
Ensure the response sticks to a single-step hint and includes arithmetic.
The made-up sample (a messier one):
[PROBLEM]Find the area between the curves y = x^2 and y = 2x + 3 from x = -1 to x = 3.[MY WORK]My attempt: I solved x^2 = 2x + 3, got x = -1 and 3. I assumed 2x+3 is above x^2, so I set up ∫_{-1}^{3} [(2x+3) - x^2] dx. I found antiderivative (x^2 + 3x - x^3/3) and evaluated, getting about 20/3.[STEP]I'm not sure if 2x+3 really stays on top of x^2 for the whole interval, especially near x = -1. How can I confirm which function is upper?
- Must give one hint or step at a time and wait for my attempt
- Must show arithmetic so I can check it
- Never give the final answer until I've tried
- Never skip steps
- Didn't make up details we never gave it
What came back (excerpt):
First, let's calculate the values of both functions at x = -1: For y = x^2, we have y = (-1)^2 = 1.
Read the full answer
To confirm which function is the upper curve, let's evaluate both functions at the endpoints of the interval and at a point in between. We already know the endpoints are x = -1 and x = 3. First, let's calculate the values of both functions at x = -1: For y = x^2, we have y = (-1)^2 = 1. For y = 2x + 3, we have y = 2(-1) + 3 = -2 + 3 = 1. Now, let's calculate the values of both functions at x = 3: For y = x^2, we have y = (3)^2 = 9. For y = 2x + 3, we have y = 2(3) + 3 = 6 + 3 = 9. We see that at both endpoints, the values of the two functions are equal, which is expected since we found these points by solving x^2 = 2x + 3. Next, let's pick a point in between, say x = 0, to see which function is greater: For y = x^2, we have y = (0)^2 = 0. For y = 2x + 3, we have y = 2(0) + 3 = 3. Now it's your turn. What do you observe about the values at x = 0, and how does this help you understand the relationship between the two curves?
Check that only a single hint is provided before the user responds.
How each run works: we fill the prompt with a made-up sample, run it once in Llama 3.3 70B, and GPT-OSS 120B grades the answer against the prompt's own rules. Word limits are counted by code, and every quote flagged as made up is checked against the full answer. Your results can differ. How we test.