Long Dash Within Equation

[Chris Clemens]

Nemeth Code Rule 6 states that a long dash MUST be preceded and followed by a space except with punctuation, braille indicators, symbols of grouping and a few other symbols.
In the example: 2j + 3 = 27 a dash replaces the numbers.
_____j + _____ = ______
In braille, if the dash representing the “2” is spaced away from the “j”, how will the student know that the omission represents a number being multiplied to the variable?
Should we instead braille the first long dash unspaced and in contact with the letter j?

A sample is attached along with our rendition of the braille.

Thank you.
Marie Amerson

[Lindy Walton]

Hello. Thank you for your clear example. It is important to follow the spacing rules for Nemeth, not to try to copy print spacing. When dots 36 touch the letter (variable), the symbol becomes mathematical (a negative sign) and so your braille example misrepresents the problem and is confusing. This is an illustrative step-by-step example; I doubt the student will misunderstand the function of the coefficient.

[Chris Clemens]

Lindy,
You are wonderful! We love the explanations to the answers you give - they are always quite helpful. Hope you have a great New Year.
Marie Amerson

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