Having trouble with math concepts? Use ChatGPT prompts to nail your math studies!

Have you ever struggled understanding mathematical concepts like functions, quadratic relations, and geometry? 

If you answered yes, you're not alone. But don't worry, I'm here to help. Today I'll show you how to use ChatGPT prompts to help you nail your math studies and understand math like a pro.

Are you ready? 🙋

While ChatGPT isn't a calculator, it can help you understand some math concepts that can be tricky.

Things ChatGPT can do in math: ✅

1. Explain math concepts.

Use ChatGPT prompts to explain math concepts in an easy manner, and as many times as you need. It's like having a personal math tutor at home!

2. Provide practice problems.

Ask ChatGPT to create specific math problems and show you how to solve them step-by-step. This way, you'll learn how to get to the solution on your own.

Things ChatGPT can't do in math: ❌

1. Solve advanced problems.

Today, large language models like GPT-4 are not well suited to solve math problems.

ChatGPT is great for predicting words thanks to its "next token prediction technique", but this approach doesn't quite work in math because math needs a specific answer.

2. Show visuals.

ChatGPT can't draw graphs or diagrams of math problems.

You can use plugins such as Wolfram that can be integrated into ChatGPT. This will help you overcome this limitation, but it is only available for the pro version of ChatGPT.

Alright, we know ChatGPT prompts can help you explain math concepts. Now let's find out how you can use it to make studying math easier!

Use the Chain of Thought (CoT) reasoning technique to know how to get an answer

Have you ever been asked in class to show how you got an answer to an algebra problem, step-by-step?

Well, that's what Chain of Thought reasoning is like!

Here are two CoTs' tactics to study math problems. These tactics are for simple algebraic and arithmetic problems — remember, ChatGPT can't solve advanced problems, if you need help with more advanced math use Wolfram. 😉)

Tactic 1. Ask ChatGPT to explain its reasoning process when solving an algebraic problem

Example ChatGPT prompt: "ChatGPT, solve X= 10^2 * 5^2 for me, explain your reasoning".

ChatGPT's answer with the Chain of Thought reasoning technique, tactic 1: 🤖

To hear an audio version of the information in the image above, click the play button on the audio player below:

Tactic 2. Encourage ChatGPT to do step-by-step reasoning when solving arithmetic problems:

Example ChatGPT prompt: "ChatGPT, solve this problem step-by-step: Find the next term of the arithmetic sequence 177, 173, 169, 165,…"

ChatGPT's answer with the Chain of Thought reasoning technique, tactic 2: 🤖

To hear an audio version of the information in the image above, click the play button on the audio player below:

Imagine having a team of math geniuses as your personal tutors, ready to help you understand math concepts easily.

Pretty great, right?

Well, that's what the Panel of Experts technique (POE) is all about!

The POE is a more advanced prompting technique that uses the "Tree of Thought". method. When using this technique with ChatGPT prompts, you get the answers of different "experts" explaining various points of view about the same concept. This will help you understand any math concept better.

Here's how you can create your own POE prompting to study the concept of "quadratic functions":

1. Ask a specific question to avoid ChatGPT making too many guesses

Example ChatGPT prompt:

"What are quadratic functions?"

2. Set up the panel to get different arguments in the answer

Example ChatGPT prompt:

"You are a panel of three math experts on quadratic functions answering this question — Abacus, Gyo, and Pi."

Note: Feel free to name the experts to make it more fun! 📍

3. Describe the experts' process step-by-step to get more relevant answers

Example ChatGPT prompt:

[Step 1]

"When answering the question 'What are quadratic functions', each math expert will explain quadratic functions, write down one step of their thinking, and they'll share it with the group. Then all three experts will go on to the next step, etc.

[Step 2]

Your task is to explain quadratic functions in an easy way.

[Step 3]

You will do this via a panel discussion, trying to explain quadratic functions step-by-step and make sure the answer is correct."

4. Include a section to check for mistakes

Example ChatGPT prompt:

"At each stage, make sure to critique and check the other math expert's work -pointing out any possible mistakes.

If any math expert realizes their explanation of quadratic functions is wrong at any point, they leave the discussion.

Remember, all experts should critique each other's arguments and decide whether the answer is correct or not."

5. Repeat your question at the end to make sure ChatGPT won't forget to answer it

Example ChatGPT prompt:

"The question is: What are quadratic functions? Use 5 paragraphs for your answer."

See the Panel of experts in Action

See the video below for an answer to a ChatGPT prompt using the Panel of Experts technique: 🤖

To hear an audio version of the information in the video above, click the play button on the audio player below:

ChatGPT prompt

ChatGPT answer

Note: Sometimes ChatGPT prompts lead to longer answers than you asked, that's ok! Just ask it to try again with shorter ones. Pro tip: ask ChatGPT to limit its answers by the number of paragraphs instead of a specific number of words. 📍

Imagine... 💭

Four friends Ada, Emmy, Alan, and Rene are studying for an upcoming math test using ChatGPT.

Q. What are valid prompts they can ask ChatGPT? Select all appropriate.

A. Ada asks: ChatGPT, solve X= 8^2 * 6^4 for me, explain your reasoning.

B. Emmy asks: ChatGPT, solve this problem step-by-step: What is the recursive formula of the sequence 12,7,2, ...?

C. Alan asks: What is implicit differentiation? and uses the Panel of Experts technique.

D. Rene asks: Plot the equation x^6-8x^2+7x=2.

When deciding to use ChatGPT prompts to study math concepts, ask yourself: