BRL: Braille through Remote Learning
Braille Transcribers Course
Home Syllabus
Session 5 page
Session Topics
Mathematical signs
Units of Measure
Nonalphabetical signs
Special print shapes
Numbers and Numbering systems
Superior notations
Evaluation
Writing Exercise
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Session 5: Mathematical and Nonalphabetical Signs |
Many more textbooks make use of non-literary signs, specifically mathematical and nonalphabetical signs such as arrows, check marks, abbreviations for units of measure, and the like. Care must be taken to know when the use of the signs described in this session can be used versus the use of a fully technical code, such as the Nemeth Code for mathematics. Some of the general provisions of Rule 5 are provided in a separate reading. One of the more important provisions is the computation rule, which provides reasonably clear guidance on the use of technical codes such as Nemeth.
The rules for the use of the mathematical symbols in this session are pretty straight-forward:
- use the braille symbol only when the text does not provide identifications or explanations of the print text.
- include all signs in a transcribers note or on a special symbols page
The specific mathematical symbols shown below in table form include:
- General mathematical signs
- Arrows
- Arrowheads
- Monetary signs
Mathematical Signs
These signs are generally preceded and followed by a blank space, although you generally will follow the print example for spacing. Some notable exceptions to the use of these signs:
- Use the letter "x" for magnification, such as "10x" to mean "ten times", for example in the power of a telescope lens.
- Use the word "by" in a dimension, such as "2 x 4", which would be brailled "2 by 4".
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+ |
plus sign |
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- |
minus sign |
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± |
plus or minus sign |
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× |
multiplication, times sign |
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division sign |
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= |
equal sign |
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negated equal sign |
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> |
greater than sign |
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< |
less than sign |
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: |
ratio sign |
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: : |
proportion sign |
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because |
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therefore |
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% |
percent sign |
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slashed zero, null or empty set |
Arrows
Arrow signs are used with blank cells preceding and following:
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left arrow |
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right arrow |
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left and right arrow |
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up arrow |
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down arrow |
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up and down arrow |
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northeast arrow |
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southeast arrow |
Arrowheads
Arrowheads are used to indicate direction or "coming from", as in the example: "Area> Population>GNP." The statement is not saying that area is greater than the population which is greater than the gross national product (GNP); rather, it states that the GNP depends on the population, which in turn depends upon the amount of land available (area). In this case, the transcriber should use the arrowhead versus the greater than sign.
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< |
left arrowhead, derived from |
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> |
right arrowhead, when is derived |
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<? |
left arrowhead and question mark, source unknown |
Monetary Signs
The only peculiarity about these signs is that the dollar sign and the pound sterling signs must be preceded by a dot 4 if they are used as stand-alones or if they are used in conjunction with a word or contraction.
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¢ |
cent sign |
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$ |
dollar sign* |
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pound sterling sign* |
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¥ |
yen sign |
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