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

    • 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:

    1. use the braille symbol only when the text does not provide identifications or explanations of the print text.
    2. include all signs in a transcribers note or on a special symbols page

    The specific mathematical symbols shown below in table form include:

    1. General mathematical signs
    2. Arrows
    3. Arrowheads
    4. 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:

    1. Use the letter "x" for magnification, such as "10x" to mean "ten times", for example in the power of a telescope lens.
    2. Use the word "by" in a dimension, such as "2 x 4", which would be brailled "2 by 4".

    dot 4dots 3-4-6 + plus sign
    dot 4dots 3-6 - minus sign
    dot 4dots 3-4-6dots 3-6 ± plus or minus sign
    dot 4dots 1-6 × multiplication, times sign
    dost 4-6dots 3-4 division sign
    dots 4-6dots 1-3 = equal sign
    dots 3-4dots 4-6dots 1-3 negated equal sign
    dots 4-6dot 2 > greater than sign
    dot 5dots 1-3 < less than sign
    dot 5dot 2 : ratio sign
    dots 5-6dots 2-3 : : proportion sign
    dot 4dots 3-4 because
    dot 6dots 1-6 therefore
    dot 4dots 2-5dots 1-2-3-4 % percent sign
    dots 4-5-6dots 3-5-6 slashed zero, null or empty set

    Arrows

    Arrow signs are used with blank cells preceding and following:

    left arrow
    right arrow
    left and right arrow
    up arrow
    down arrow
    up and down arrow
    northeast arrow
    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.

    dots 1-2-4-6dots 2-4-6 < left arrowhead, derived from
    dots 1-2-4-6dots 1-3-5 > right arrowhead, when is derived
    dots 1-2-4-6dots 2-4-6 dot 4dots 2-3-6 <? 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.

    dot 4dots 1-4 ¢ cent sign
    dots 2-5-6 $ dollar sign*
    dots 1-2-3 pound sterling sign*
    dot 4dots 1-3-4-5-6 ¥ yen sign