DBT Math Direct Entry

Many people produce math equations in MathType or Scientific Notebook. This help page is for people who wish to Enter their math directly into the DBT Editor.

We presume that you know DBT, have configured your braille, but wish to learn how to type math material into DBT.

Preparation

1. Go to the help page List of Math Operators, Print out this list. You will need the special codes on this page.
2. Go to the help page List of Greek characters. Print out this list. You will need the first portion of this list (U+0391-U+03C9 or Upper case alpha through lower case omega) You will need the special codes on this page.
3. Identify what DBT Template you will be using for math production. This will depend on your geographic location and your choice of braille math codes.
4. There are two DBT commands you will use a lot:
• control-[ -- to enter a DBT code
• control-] -- to enter a DUSCI character

Entering Math

Math Operators and Greek Letters

Take the list of characters, and find the character you want. For example, one row shows:
∃   U+2203   D+F033   THERE EXISTS
To enter this symbol, type control-]. You will see a box in DBT with the heading Enter DUSCI code number. Well, the DUSCI code number for There Exists is F033. Now type F033 <Enter> (that is a zero not a letter 'o'). Now try the enter a Greek letter (pick your favorite).

math and math-TextInMath DBT Styles

As shown in the Preparation list, you can add your own style that is close to math alphabetically. Substitute your new style name in these instructions if you have done so.

Mathematical material in DBT should be enclose within the math style.

• Enclose your math material in highlight.
• Press F8
• Use the down arrow until you see math
• Press Enter to select
• Press Alt-F3 to toggle codes to show you have indeed enclosed the equation in the math style.

Text which is entirely within math style material can be marked as math-TextInMath. The start and end of math-TextInMath should always be within material marked as the math style. Use the same method shown above to use this style in the list of DBT styles.

Fractions

Fractions are easy. You just need to know these codes:

to write the fraction x+y divided by 17,
Enter:   Control-[ fs <Enter> x+y Control-[ fl <Enter> 17 Control-[ fe <Enter>

Press Alt-F3 to toggle codes to show you have indeed inserted the three DBT codes that make up a fraction.

Fractions and Nemeth Code

For Nemeth Code only, there are additional codes (or variations) for mixed numbers and complex fractions.

to write the mixed number 7 and a half,
Enter:   7 Control-[ fs0 <Enter> 1 Control-[ fl <Enter> 2 Control-[ fe0 <Enter>

Nemeth Code uses a dot 6 to show a complex fraction (the outer fraction), and a double dot 6 to show a hyper-complex fraction (the outer-outer fraction).

to write the complex fraction of x+y divided by a third,
Enter:   Control-[ fs1 <Enter> x+y Control-[ fl1 Control-[ fs <Enter> 1 Control-[ fl <Enter> 3 Control-[ fe <Enter> Control-[ fe1 <Enter>

Superscripts and Subscripts

Superscripts and Subscripts are easy. You just need to know these codes:

To write x squared,
Enter:   x Control-[ ps <Enter> 2 Control-[ pe <Enter>

To write x sub n,
Enter:   x Control-[ bs <Enter> n Control-[ pe <Enter>

Square Roots and Radicals

Square Roots and Radicals are easy. You just need to know these codes:

To write the square root of x+12,
Enter:   Control-[ sqrts <Enter> x+12 Control-[ sqrte <Enter>

To write the cube root of x+12,
Enter:   Control-[ ixrts <Enter> 3 Control-[ ixrtd <Enter> x+12 Control-[ ixrte <Enter>