Step-by-step math solver for research and learning
Symbolab is a web-based math engine that provides step-by-step solutions for algebra, calculus, and more, aimed at students and educators seeking worked solutions; it pairs a free solver with subscription plans for unlimited step-by-step explanations and practice features, making it a practical paid upgrade for regular study and homework help.
Symbolab is an online math solver and learning tool that shows step-by-step solutions for algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and other math problems. The core capability is converting user-entered math expressions — typed or uploaded as images — into full worked solutions and symbolic answers, which distinguishes it from plain answer-only calculators. It primarily serves high school and college students, tutors, and STEM educators in the Research & Learning category. A freemium model lets casual users access answers, while paid subscriptions unlock unlimited steps and practice features for affordable monthly rates.
Symbolab is a web-based math solver and learning platform launched to fill the gap between calculators and full math tutoring. Founded as a specialized symbolic engine, it positions itself for students and instructors who need not just answers but complete, human-readable step-by-step solutions and symbolic manipulation. The site accepts typed equations, LaTeX input, and image uploads, returning detailed work-throughs, graphs, and final results. Symbolab's core value proposition is transforming opaque numeric answers into teachable steps that can be followed and studied, supporting learning and homework verification across math disciplines.
The product includes several concrete features: the Step-by-Step Solutions view shows sequential algebraic manipulation (e.g., factoring, expanding, solving systems) and offers both exact symbolic results and decimal approximations. The Equation Search and Math Recognizer accept handwriting or image uploads via the mobile/web camera tool and convert them into editable expressions. The Graphing module plots functions with zoom, trace, and intersection tools, and supports implicit plots for conics. Practice and Quizzes provide randomized problem sets and progress tracking, and the Calculator modes include specialized solvers for integrals, derivatives, limits, matrices, differential equations, and trigonometric identities.
Pricing follows a freemium model. A free tier allows solving problems and viewing final answers with limited step visibility and ads. Paid subscriptions remove ads and unlock unlimited step-by-step solutions and additional practice features: as of 2026 Symbolab lists monthly Premium at $9.99/month and yearly Premium at $59.99/year (approx $5/month when billed annually), which unlocks full step solutions, advanced problem types, and practice sets. Symbolab also offers a Student plan with annual pricing and family or school licenses via Symbolab Plus/Team or institutional licensing; enterprise or classroom pricing is available on contact for bulk seats. Trials and occasional discounts are offered; free users can still use many solver functions but will see step limits and ads.
Symbolab is used widely by high-school students checking homework, college STEM majors verifying calculus and linear algebra steps, tutors creating lesson examples, and instructors preparing problem sets. Example workflows: a high-school math teacher uses Symbolab to generate step-by-step solutions for homework answer keys; a civil engineer reviewing calculus uses it to validate integral setup and exact antiderivatives. Compared to Wolfram Alpha, Symbolab emphasizes cleaner step-by-step algebraic workflow and student-focused practice tools rather than broader computational knowledge queries, making it more directly suited to learning and homework support.
Three capabilities that set Symbolab apart from its nearest competitors.
Current tiers and what you get at each price point. Verified against the vendor's pricing page.
| Plan | Price | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | View final answers, limited step visibility, ads present | Casual users checking occasional problems |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99/month | Unlimited step-by-step solutions, no ads, full practice access | Monthly subscribers and frequent students |
| Premium Yearly | $59.99/year | Same as monthly, billed annually for lower effective cost | Regular students wanting lower annual cost |
| School / Team | Custom | Bulk seats, classroom access, instructor tools, custom billing | Schools and tutoring centers buying multiple accounts |
Copy these into Symbolab as-is. Each targets a different high-value workflow.
You are Symbolab. Solve this quadratic equation and produce a clear, step-by-step solution suitable for a high-school answer key: x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0. Constraints: (1) Present three separate solution methods: factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula; label each method. (2) Show every intermediate algebraic step and a one-line substitution check for each root back into the original equation. (3) Provide output in two blocks: A) plain numbered steps for printing; B) LaTeX-ready lines for the final solution (example final line: \displaystyle x=2,\;x=3).
You are Symbolab. Compute the indefinite integral and show full steps: \int (3x^2 - 4x + 1)\,dx. Constraints: (1) Use power-rule term-by-term and show each algebraic step. (2) Include the constant of integration and a one-line differentiation check that recovers the integrand. (3) Provide two output formats: A) concise numbered steps for printing; B) one-line LaTeX-ready final antiderivative (example: \displaystyle x^3-2x^2+x+C).
You are Symbolab acting as a math teacher producing a printable answer key. Solve this linear system and show detailed row-reduction: 3x + 2y - z = 1; x - y + 4z = -2; 2x + 0y + 3z = 5. Constraints: (1) Show the augmented matrix and each elementary row operation labeled R_i -> ... until reduced row-echelon form. (2) Explain pivot choices, indicate if the solution is unique/parametric/inconsistent. (3) Output two sections: (A) Plain numbered steps for students; (B) LaTeX-ready matrix steps and final solution vector.
You are Symbolab. Evaluate the definite integral and show technique: \int_{0}^{\pi/2} \sin^3 x\,dx. Constraints: (1) Demonstrate the identity reduction used (e.g., sin^3x = sinx(1-cos^2x)), show substitution steps, and simplify all algebra. (2) Give the exact value in simplest form and a decimal approximation to five significant digits. (3) Provide output in two formats: A) plain numbered explanation suitable for classroom handout; B) LaTeX-ready final result and the numeric approximation shown separately.
You are Symbolab acting as a college-level differential equations instructor. Create 5 distinct first-order IVP practice problems (mix of separable and linear), each with: problem statement, labeled difficulty (easy/medium/hard), full step-by-step solution, final explicit solution, short verification by substitution, and a 2‑bullet checklist of common student mistakes. Constraints: (1) Randomize coefficients so each problem is unique; (2) Keep solutions concise but fully shown. Output format: numbered list 1–5; under each problem include 'Problem', 'Solution Steps', 'Final Answer', 'Verification', 'Common Mistakes'. Example (few-shot) format: Problem: y' + 2y = cos x, y(0)=1; Solution Steps: ... Final Answer: ...
You are Symbolab acting as an expert multivariable calculus tutor. Analyze f(x,y)=x^4 + y^4 - 4x^2 + 2xy - 4y. Tasks: (1) Compute gradient and solve ∇f=0 for all critical points, showing algebraic work. (2) Compute the Hessian matrix, evaluate it at each critical point, and classify each as local min/max/saddle using eigenvalues or principal minors with explained reasoning. (3) Use Lagrange multipliers to optimize f on constraint x^2+y^2=4, showing multiplier equations, solutions, and numeric approximations. Output: numbered steps, a table of points with classifications, and LaTeX-ready lines for final answers.
Choose Symbolab over Wolfram Alpha if you prioritize step-by-step algebraic explanations and student practice sets over expansive computational knowledge.