5 Google tools to make day-to-day math a lot easier
![An illustration of a phone and various school supplies next to a notepad with a math problem on it.](https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-uniblog-publish-prod/images/google_tools_math_1.width-1200.format-webp.webp)
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.
![A screenshot of 1,603,633=english in the Google Search bar. The result shows the number written out as one million six hundred three thousand six hundred thirty-three.]( https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-uniblog-publish-prod/images/1603633english.width-100.format-webp.webp )
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.
![A screenshot of the tip calculator feature on Search that shows an input for the bill, tip percentage and number of people.]( https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-uniblog-publish-prod/images/tip_calculator.width-100.format-webp.webp )
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.
![A screenshot of .84 / .26 x 100 being solved with Search.]( https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-uniblog-publish-prod/images/how_to_solve_your_problem.width-100.format-webp.webp )
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.