Hints
A nudge towards a useful idea or method when a pupil is unsure where to begin.
Now live · Teacher-controlled support
Maths Buddy AI
AI maths support built into CfE Maths Hub
Help with the question in front of you. Maths Buddy gives pupils hints, first steps, explanations and visual support during supported maths practice, with time to think and try the next step.
Built for Scottish maths education, from Primary numeracy to secondary practice. Maths Buddy is available when your teacher enables AI support.
What is Maths Buddy AI?
Maths Buddy is an AI maths assistant for pupils using CfE Maths Hub. It receives the context of the supported question they are working on, so help stays connected to their maths practice. Pupils can ask about that question without leaving the activity.
For teachers exploring an AI maths tutor for schools, the focus here is practical: scaffold the next step, support understanding and leave room for pupils to do the thinking.
How Maths Buddy helps pupils
First steps
Help starting the calculation or problem, so the pupil can try what comes next.
Explanations
Support with why a method works, including questions about the current problem.
Visual support
Visual models or written working for supported question types, helping pupils connect an explanation to the maths.
How it works during maths practice
- Open a supported practice activity and try the question.
- Open Maths Buddy when you need help. Choose a hint, a first step or an explanation, or ask about the question.
- Use the guidance to continue your working. Ask for more explanation if the method is still unclear.
Help builds progressively rather than immediately revealing an answer. Fuller working can be shown when needed, so the aim is to understand the method and apply it yourself.
Teacher-controlled AI support
Maths Buddy is part of the Premium + Maths Buddy AI teacher plan. Pupil access follows the platform’s existing teacher and class arrangements. Teachers choose appropriate practice and remain central to pupils’ learning.
Maths Buddy is available when your teacher enables AI support.
Read about privacy and school useMaths Buddy for Scottish schools
CfE Maths Hub connects Curriculum for Excellence maths and numeracy with practice for National Qualifications. Maths Buddy adds question-linked AI support within that learning environment, helping pupils work through a difficulty while it is still in front of them.
Teachers elsewhere in the UK or internationally can explore the same maths ideas and practice pathways, choosing work that fits their learners. The course structure and terminology remain rooted in Scotland.
Explore CfE Maths Hub coursesPrimary maths support
Maths Buddy is integrated into supported Primary maths and numeracy practice activities. Hints and explanations can help pupils take a manageable next step, with visual support where the question supports it.
Availability varies by activity. The AI support is separate from the Maths Buddy avatars and rewards pupils collect across Primary learning.
Explore Primary mathsSecondary and National maths support
Current integrations include National 3, National 4 and National 5 Applications of Mathematics practice, National 5 Mathematics topic practice and mixed revision, and supported Higher Maths and Higher Applications practice.
Support depends on the activity, question type and teacher-enabled access. It is not available in every resource or assessment.
Explore National 5 Maths practiceHow is Maths Buddy different from a generic AI chatbot?
Maths Buddy sits beside the maths a pupil is already doing. The current supported question supplies the context, and focused help options make it straightforward to ask for a hint or explanation. There is no need to copy the problem into a separate chat.
It is designed as educational support within CfE Maths Hub’s teacher-controlled environment. It complements teaching and independent thought; it does not replace a teacher’s judgement.
See Maths Buddy AI during maths practice
This short demo follows a National 3 percentages question. See how a pupil can move from a hint to a first step, an explanation and fuller working when more support is needed.
Watch the Maths Buddy demo on YouTube (opens in a new tab)Pricing and access
Premium + Maths Buddy AI: £12.99/month
Includes Premium Teacher access and Maths Buddy AI for supported pupil practice. No free trial. Generous classroom AI usage included. Fair use applies.
Premium Teacher without AI is £4.99/month with a 30-day trial for eligible teachers, or £49.99/year with no trial. The pricing page shows the access and upgrade options available to your account.
Compare plans and Maths Buddy accessMaths Buddy AI FAQs
What is Maths Buddy AI?
Maths Buddy AI is an AI maths assistant built into CfE Maths Hub. It offers support linked to the question a pupil is working on, within supported maths practice activities.
How does Maths Buddy AI help pupils with maths?
Pupils can ask for a hint, a first step or an explanation, and ask about their current question. Visual support is available for supported question types. Help is intended to make the next step clearer so pupils can continue thinking and practising.
Does Maths Buddy AI give pupils the answer?
The aim is guided learning: start with a hint or first step and build towards an explanation. More detailed working, including an answer, may be shown when further support is needed. Pupils should use the guidance to understand the method and try the question themselves.
Is Maths Buddy AI designed for Curriculum for Excellence?
Yes. It is part of CfE Maths Hub, a platform built around Scottish Curriculum for Excellence maths and numeracy and National Qualification pathways. Its help is tied to supported questions on the platform, rather than a separate general-purpose chat.
Can teachers control access to Maths Buddy AI?
Yes. Pupil access is linked to their teacher’s AI plan and the platform’s existing class access arrangements. Maths Buddy is available when your teacher enables AI support.
Can Maths Buddy AI help with National 5 Maths?
Yes, Maths Buddy is integrated into National 5 Mathematics topic practice and mixed revision, as well as supported National 5 Applications of Mathematics practice. Availability depends on the activity and teacher-enabled access; it is not a promise of AI help in every resource or assessment.
Can primary pupils use Maths Buddy AI?
Yes, in supported Primary maths and numeracy practice activities when their teacher enables AI support. The help available depends on the question. Maths Buddy AI is separate from the collectible Maths Buddy avatars and rewards used across Primary learning.
How much does Maths Buddy AI cost?
Premium + Maths Buddy AI costs £12.99/month and includes Premium Teacher access. There is no free trial for this plan. Generous classroom AI usage included. Fair use applies. Premium Teacher without AI is £4.99/month with an eligible 30-day trial, or £49.99/year with no trial. See pricing for access and upgrade options.
Is Maths Buddy AI a replacement for a maths teacher?
No. Maths Buddy provides extra support during practice. Teachers still explain ideas, choose suitable work and respond to each pupil’s needs. AI explanations can contain mistakes, so pupils should check their reasoning and ask their teacher when something is unclear.
How is Maths Buddy different from ChatGPT or a general AI chatbot?
Maths Buddy works inside CfE Maths Hub practice and receives the context of the current supported question. Pupils can request focused hints and explanations without copying the question into a separate chatbot. Access sits within the platform’s teacher and pupil arrangements.
Explore Maths Buddy for your pupils
Review the plan or create a teacher account to see your access options.