ChatGPT is a useful tool for many teachers and students looking to learn advanced concepts as it is capable of delivering technical information in more layman terms. However, when it comes to math it may not be the star student. A team of international researchers evaluated the AI’s ability to answer graduate-level mathematics questions and the results were mixed. While the AI managing to get some of the answers correct, it still failed in a significant number of them. Here, it may still be helpful as a specialized search engine, but it is no way near the human intellect.
The media has portrayed ChatGPT’s intelligence in varying scenarios. Some say it had crafted an impressive 147 marks on the verbal-linguistic intelligence IQ test while it had failed miserably in the CPA examination. But, according to research done, it does a great job of helping students understand high school and undergraduate math concepts as it ranked within the 89th percentile in the SAT math test.
Leah Henrickson, professor of digital media at the University of Leeds, expressed the limitation of popular standardized tests as they merely evaluate one’s ability to memorize facts and numbers. To study the AI’s problem-solving abilities, the research team developed a aptitude test known as GHOSTS which tested various questions from different fields of mathematics.ChatGPT managed to get some of the answers right but it is not a replacement for teachers where problem-solving is required.
The AI tool can be quite useful in many educational situations but it’s best strengths lie in simpler tasks like memorizing facts and understanding technical information. If the goal is to teach advanced mathematics then conventional methods may be more suitable. However, ChatGPT can still be used as an effective search engine that students can use to quickly access mathematical facts.
