[Lindy Walton]

Yes, if the closing parenthesis is at the base-line of writing, which I assume it is, you must return the reader to the base-line by brailling a base-line indicator (dot 5) before the parenthesis. Section 73 of the Nemeth Code describes this concept.

[Lindy Walton]

Thanks Lindy! Have another question for you if I have
(Ka) the letter a is in superscript do I add the dot 5 after the letter a just before the end parenthesis.
The duxbury braille translator put a dot 5 before the parenthesis.
Thanks and have a good day!
Bye! Bye!

[Lindy Walton]

I neglected to mention that --in this case-- S is the abbreviation for "sinister" which means "situated to the left" in this context.

[Lindy Walton]

It is important to include the icons in your transcription. You may use either method shown in the new Formats guidelines -- devise shape symbols for the icons, or provide a written description each time. If you devise shape symbols, be sure to follow the warning in Section 107 of the Nemeth code -- that is, don't use letters that already carry a meaning in the Basic Shapes section (106), and contractions may not be used.

[Lindy Walton]

Good question. Context and spacing will make it clear which symbol (4, 15) represents, and no rules say that we must list or define the Euro symbol, or --for that matter-- any other symbol that the Nemeth code shares with other codes. However, you certainly can use your judgment here: If the Euro symbol appears rarely in this transcription, you may insert a transcriber's note at that location, defining the symbol. If the Euro symbol appears throughout the volume, although EBAE does not include the Euro as a symbol required to be listed and defined on the Special Symbols page, there is no harm done if you want to list it.

[Lindy Walton]

Here is another case where it is better to understand the rules instead of searching for an example that fits the question. The rule you are looking for is Rule II, Sec.11.e which sends you back to sections 9 to see if any of the "Use of the Numeric Indicator" rules apply.
a: Is the numeral at the beginning of a braille line or after a space? No.

b: Is the numeral following a punctuation mark? No.

c-g do not apply here.

Section 9a is the rule to understand. In essence, a numeric indicator is not needed here because the numeral is not preceded by a space (in braille).

[Lindy Walton]

Your transcription of this complex fraction is fine. Although, technically, the denominator also contains a complex fraction, your interpretation makes sense. It reads easily and follows the rules of cancellation and single-letter abbreviations. I do notice that there is room on the line to include the second link (= 5 s) on the same line as the anchor.

[Lindy Walton]

I always go to the Nemeth Codebook first with a question -- the more familiar you are with this resource, the more flexible you will be in applying the rules when no illustrative examples are given. In this case, however, there is a good illustration of what I believe you are asking.

Rule XXV of the Nemeth Code discusses format of spatial arrangements.
Section 192 of that rule discusses margins for spatial itemized materials.
Subsection "b" offers an optional format for space-saving purposes, with main divisions and subdivisions that will answer your question. (Page 200)

[Lindy Walton]

Since the text mentions "chart" and "pattern" you should retain the print layout, as four columns of 14 rows. Use dot 5s to fill in the empty entries, using the full width of each column. (Column 4 has no empty entries.) Use the full cell for the question mark. You can adapt the wide table as either a foldout or divide it vertically. A TN can explain the smaller numbers after the (unspaced) commas.

[Lindy Walton]

I suggest using the first method of each of the examples you have brailled. The horizontal spacing (which matches print spacing) makes the vertical arrangements more obvious, both to the braille reader and to the sighted teacher, aid, or parent who may be helping the student. I think this transcription is clear and easy to read. Nicely done.

[Lindy Walton]

Hi Tina. You are not the first person to wonder about this layout in the lesson book--I am sure your question will be appreciated by many readers of this forum.

In "An Introduction to Braille Mathematics," the numbers in parentheses organize the EXAMPLES but are not to be seen as ITEM NUMBERS. You will never see those numbers in the simbraille. If the example is illustrating itemized material, you will see the item number or letter separate from the example number. Look at the first FORMAT example (1) in Lesson 1, page 8, Section 13, to see what I mean.

As you know, there is no 1/1 paragraph format in the Nemeth code, unless of course it is a continuation of a paragraph following an interruption of some kind. You can assume that -- unless formatting is under discussion -- the example sentences are taken out of context of any formatting.

[Lindy Walton]

Lindy, you are wonderful! The simbraille example was most helpful, thank you.

[Lindy Walton]

Good morning, Chad.

I don't think I'm seeing the page correctly--I see nothing in the blank area to the left of the remarks. If my answers are unclear, please send another pdf file with those areas darkened somehow. Thanks.

1) In the addition portion of this problem (the invisible partial products are to be added), the rules for placement of the operation sign in spatial addition should be followed, which state that the plus symbol be placed one cell to the left of the widest numeric symbol in the arrangement above the separation line. (NC Rule XXIV, Sec.178b) Both separation lines will need to be long enough to extend one cell to the left of that plus symbol. The multiplication portion of the problem should remain to the right, as shown in print, with the separation line extending one cell beyond on the right side as well.

2) This is certainly an interesting problem. First of all, do not braille the examples side-by-side as they appear in print. The layout of each example will fit just as it appears in print if you arrange the examples vertically.
The problem with Example 1 is that the minus signs are printed in the subtraction portion of the layout. This means you need to allow for that column in the vertical arrangment, so the 2 in the hundreds place of the dividend will have to be preceded by a space. This goes against NC Sec.180b, but follow that rule and keep the division symbol unspaced from the divisor. Supply a general omission symbol after the negative sign that stands alone near the bottom of this problem. If the print page is shaded to show other missing digits (I can't tell from the pdf file) then supply more general omission symbols. The remarks will fit on the same line as shown in print, without runovers.

The down-pointing arrows should ideally be drawn as a tactile graphic. A second choice would be to explain them in a transcriber's note before each example. The first one could say "A down-pointing arrow is drawn beneath the numeral 8 in the dividend."

Let me know if you have further questions.

[Lindy Walton]

Example 2 is correct. (The beginning of the second sentence "Which are" needs to be restored though.)

Thank you for alerting me to the possible misinterpretation of this section. The reason you are instructed to delete that second line is because no such directive regarding line 1 on a braille page is given in the Nemeth Code. In the new errata to "An Introduction to Braille Mathematics" efforts were made to remove statements made in the lesson book that are not Nemeth Code rules.

Clarifications of or changes to rules that have proven to be ambiguous are being posted on the BANA website under "Latest Code Updates" after approval by the BANA committees. In April of 2011 a change was made to Rule XXV Sections 191a(v) and 191b(vi) which eliminated the blank line between a cell 5 heading and instructions which immediately follow such a heading. In the new errata/addenda to AN INTRODUCTION TO BRAILLE MATHEMATICS the wording of Section 28 in was changed to reflect this new rule and in so doing we also removed the wording that had been added.

Your question has to do with instructions that start on line 1 of a document when the document does not employ a running head. When layouts are not given in the Nemeth Code--this one is not--we are instructed to follow EBAE or Braille Formats. I am happy to see that the new Braille Formats 2011 gives a statement regarding line 1 as it relates to exercise directions:

BF2011 Section 10: EXERCISE MATERIAL, 10.2 BLANK LINES: 10.2.2 Each exercise set, with accompanying directions, is preceded and followed by a blank line. Directions may begin on line 1 if no running head is used. Directions begin on line 3 when a running head is used.

[Lindy Walton]

Yes, use the ELI and PI -- the R in this example follows all NC definitions of a "single letter." (NC Sec.25-26 and Sec.37vii)

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