A math solver that shows its work — free, every step, no sign-up
Most math solvers online show you the final answer for free, then put the actual step-by-step working behind a subscription or an app download. Every mode here — expressions, linear and quadratic equations, fractions, and systems of equations — shows the full working for free, with no account and no app.
Answers stay exact. Most free solvers convert everything to decimals, so a third becomes 0.3333333 and the roots of x² − 3x + 1 = 0 come back as 2.618033988749895. This one keeps fractions as fractions and irrational roots in surd form — you get 1/2 and (3 ± √5)/2, the answer a teacher actually wants to see. Quadratics also show the discriminant, the factored form when one exists, and complex roots when the discriminant is negative.
You can type a whole equation in one line — 2x + 3 = 11 or x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0 — and the solver decides for itself whether that is an expression, a linear equation or a quadratic. Linear solutions are substituted back into the original equation as a final check, so the working ends by proving itself.
This tool respects full order of operations on typed expressions, solves equations for x (and for x and y in a system), reduces and combines fractions using the greatest common factor, and lays out every intermediate step instead of just the final number.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just type the whole equation?
Yes — type it the way you'd write it by hand: 2x + 3 = 11, x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0, 1/3 + 1/6, or sqrt(144) + 2^5. The solver works out whether it's an expression, a linear equation or a quadratic and picks the right method itself.
Are the answers exact or rounded?
Exact. 1/3 + 1/6 gives 1/2, not 0.5000000001, and x^2 - 3x + 1 = 0 gives (3 ± √5)/2 rather than 2.618033988749895. Decimal approximations are only shown as an extra line, clearly marked with ≈, so you always know which is which.
Does this follow the correct order of operations?
Yes — parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division (left to right), then addition and subtraction (left to right), exactly like PEMDAS/BODMAS taught in school. Note that -3^2 is -9, because the exponent is applied before the minus sign.
Can it solve cubics and higher?
Yes. It uses the Rational Root Theorem to find exact roots, divides each one out by synthetic division, and solves whatever is left. x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x - 6 = 0 returns x = 1, 2, 3 exactly. If no rational root exists — like x^3 - 2 = 0 — it says so plainly and gives the root numerically instead of pretending to an exact answer.
Can it do derivatives?
Yes, including sin, cos, tan, ln, exp and sqrt, with the product, quotient and chain rules. d/dx x*sin(x) gives sin(x) + x·cos(x), and d/dx (x^2+1)^5 gives 10·x·(x^2+1)^4 in chain-rule form rather than expanding it. Every symbolic derivative is also checked against the limit definition numerically before it is shown.
Can it do integrals?
For polynomials, exactly: integral of x^2 gives 1/3x^3 + C, and integral of x^2 from 0 to 3 gives 9 with the antiderivative evaluated at both limits. General symbolic integration of things like sin(x^2) is not supported — there is no complete algorithm for it, and guessing would be worse than saying so.
Does it handle absolute value equations?
Yes — write it with pipes, like |2x - 3| = 7. It splits the equation into the two cases, solves each, and substitutes every candidate back into the original, because splitting can produce answers the original equation rejects.
Can it solve for x?
Yes, using the Linear equation and Quadratic equation modes. Enter the coefficients (a, b, c) and it solves for x and shows the working, including the discriminant for quadratics.
What if my quadratic has no real solution?
If the discriminant (b²−4ac) is negative, there's no real answer — the solver shows the two complex roots instead, clearly labeled.
Does it simplify fractions and combine them?
Yes — the Fractions tab reduces each fraction to lowest terms using the greatest common factor, then adds, subtracts, multiplies, or divides them and simplifies the result, with every step shown.
Can it solve a system of two equations?
Yes — enter two equations in the form a·x + b·y = c and it solves for both x and y using the determinant method, with the determinant and both variables shown step by step.
Is this a free tool with no sign-up?
Yes — every mode on this page, including all the steps, is completely free and runs entirely in your browser. No account, no paywalled steps, no app download, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.