Fractions

There are three ways to write fractions in print notation and Nemeth braille, and two ways to write mixed fractions.

The division sign (dots 46 dots 34) is used without an opening or closing fraction symbol.

The division slash (dots 456 dots 34) is used with an opening fraction symbol (dots 1456) and a closing fraction symbol (dots 3456). When the division slash is used in isolation, the equation editor will supply the opening and closing fraction symbol automatically. The current expression will become the numerator, and a place will be provided for typing the denominator.

The vertical fraction symbol (dots 34) is also used with the opening fraction symbol (dots 1456) and the closing fraction symbol (dots 3456). When the opening fraction symbol is supplied, the equation editor will supply the vertical fraction symbol (dots 34) and the closing fraction symbol (dots 3456), and a place will be provided for typing the numerator and the denominator. After typing the numerator, typing dots 34 will move the equation editor input to the denominator. After typing the denominator, the closing fraction symbol (dots 3456) will move the equation editor input to the position just after (outside) the fraction.

The mixed number symbol (dots 456 dots 1456) is used to introduce a mixed fraction. After typing the whole number part, the mixed number symbol moves the input position into the numerator. After typing the numerator, typing dots 34 will move the input position into the denominator. After typing the denominator, the closing fraction symbol (dots 456, 3456) will move the equation editor input to the position just after (outside) the fraction.

Exercises

Type the following expressions into the equation editor below and verify that the equation editor produces the proper Nemeth braille output in each case. Also verify that a sighted friend can read each expression you have typed as it is displayed on the screen. Feel free to try your own examples, and to explore other combinations of fraction symbols and nested fractions.

  • 512 division sign 32
  • 512 division slash 32
  • fraction 512 over 32
  • two and three fourths
  • ( 1 / 2 + 3 / 4 ) / 5