5 Google tools to make day-to-day math a lot easier
Even if you don’t do math as part of your job, everyone has to crunch numbers in day-to-day life at some point. Depending on your comfort with math, that can be no big deal — or it can be a challenge. As someone who lives with a math-related learning disability, I fall into the latter category. Luckily, I've found a few tools that can help me more easily navigate my day-to-day encounters with math. These tools aren't specifically made for people with disabilities — they're meant to be helpful for everyone. But as someone who has always struggled with math, I'm a fan.
Search
Check how to say numbers correctly
When I see large numbers, it’s hard for me to translate them into words. Whenever there’s a number I’m not quite sure how to spell or say, I just type the number and add “=english” to the end of the search. For example, 1,603,633=english gets the result “one million six hundred three thousand six hundred thirty-three.” This trick is particularly helpful when I have to present or share data in meetings.
Say numbers correctly with Search.
Calculate tips with ease
Doing math quickly in my head is tricky. After a fun dinner with friends, I used to immediately feel panicky because I knew I’d have to calculate tip. Once I learned how to use the tip calculator feature in Search, the end-of-meal dread stopped. Now I simply search for “tip calculator,” enter the cost of my meal, and the percentage I want to tip. It can even help split the bill evenly with my friends.
Use Search to quickly add tip to your bill.
Solve equations quickly
Seemingly simple tasks like dividing and multiplying aren’t so simple for me. When I have an equation I need to quickly solve, I type it out in search. If I want to calculate .84 / .26 X 100, I plug it into search. It’ll not only give me the answer, but will also show me how to solve the problem with confidence.
Get help with math problems directly in Search.
Google Maps
Get around better with Live View
My disability doesn’t just impact the way I view numbers or do math, it also affects my sense of direction. I’ll often turn left when I should've gone right and vice versa. Live View in Google Maps helps me visualize my surroundings and orient myself with AR arrows so I’m not wasting time figuring out which direction I should go. As a New Yorker, this feature is particularly helpful when I’m exiting a crowded train station and don’t know which way to walk.
Set a reminder to leave on time
Being punctual can be a challenge for anyone whether or not math is their strong suit. But even when I’ve made the journey before, I tend to arrive too early, or worse, late. Setting a reminder to leave in Google Maps on iOS saves me time and limits stress. I just put in my destination, indicate the mode of transportation I’m taking, and set my desired arrival time. Then Google Maps tells me exactly what time I should leave and notifies me when it’s time to go.
