Parents' Guide to Brilliant

Website https://brilliant.org/
Brilliant Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Emily Pohlonski By Emily Pohlonski , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Advanced math and physics buffs will dig difficult problems.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all
age 13+

Based on 8 parent reviews

 

 

See all 8 parent reviews
age 13+

Based on 1 kid review

 

 

See all 1 kid review

Privacy Rating Warning

  • Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
  • Unclear whether personal information are shared for third-party marketing.
  • Unclear whether this product displays personalised advertising.
  • Unclear whether data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • User's information is used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What's It About?

Brilliant is an online community of learners who share and solve physics and math problems. Aimed toward kids with advanced math skills, it's particularly useful to those competing in Math or Science Olympiad contests. First, kids choose a topic: Algebra, Number Theory, Combinatorics, Electricity & Magnetism, Computer Science, Mechanics, Geometry, or Calculus. They're then given a choice of five problems, one at each of five levels. They'll solve the hardest one they can; this determines placement and the level of challenge from that point forward.

Each level is divided into ratings, and kids who boost their rating by correctly solving problems will get \"leveled up.\" They'll get three tries to solve a problem, but if they still can't figure it out, sample solutions are provided. And if they don't like the sample solution? Kids can request a clarification or dispute the answer.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 8 ):
Kids say ( 1 ):

Brilliant is elegantly laid out and easy to navigate. It lets kids solve problems at their level while getting immediate feedback from other folks who are just as enthusiastic about math and physics. They'll appreciate the choices they get to make -- they get to pick the problems they find interesting. Even better, they can create their own problems to try to stump friends. The site's existing problems are moderately intriguing; they're pretty similar to the types of story problems you find in traditional math and physics textbooks.

A minor quibble: answers submitted don't require the use of units, which could be particularly problematic in physics. Note that this site is aimed toward "exceptional students," so it may not be appropriate for kids who are having difficulty with math or physics. Also, the forum is open to all math lovers over the age of 13, so make sure to talk to your kids about digital citizenship.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about math as a tool. How do you use math as a consumer or at work?

  • Want to talk more about digital citizenship? Check out our Tips for Teens and Parents.

Website Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Brilliant Poster Image

You May Also Like...

See all

STEM: Apps, TV, and More for Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math

See all recommended website lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate