Hadley

Braille Special Symbols 4 – Basic Math Symbols

Opening

Hadley presents Braille Special Symbols, Workshop 4: Basic Math Symbols

Page 1

First, make sure you have your braille workbook with you. If you don’t already have one, call Hadley at 847-784-2816, and we’ll mail one right out to you.

Now let’s look at another set of special symbols.

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

These are the symbols for + and −.

Let’s read the symbol on the first row above the middle line.

This is the + sign.

Now let’s try the symbol in the second row.

This is the − sign.

When the + and − signs are written within math problems, there is no space before or after the symbol.

Below the middle line are 2 rows of braille.

Let's read the first row together.

It says: 4+7

Notice that the + and − signs end numeric mode, so the numeric indicator must be repeated following the symbol.

Now let's try the next row.

It says: 8−2

Turn the page.

Page 2

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

This is the + sign, also called the addition sign. It’s dot 5 in the first cell, and dots 2, 3, 5 in the second cell.

Above the middle line are 3 rows of braille.

As you read the braille and work through the activities on these pages, use the Pause button, or spacebar, for as long as you need to. Then select the Play button, or press the spacebar again, to hear the feedback for that item.

What does the first row say?

The first row says: 4+0.

Now read the next row.

This one reads: 23 bananas + 18 bananas

Notice this time there’s a space before and after the plus symbol, because this phrase uses words, not just numbers.

Finally, what does the last row say?

If you read: 1,300+7,200 . . . you got it!

Below the middle line are 3 more rows of braille.

Read all 3 rows, and find which one is written correctly for: 3+9

Did you say it's the first row? That’s right!

In the middle row, the 2 cells that form the + sign are reversed. And in the last row, the 3 is written using dots 2, 5 instead of dots 1, 4.

Move to the next page.

Page 3

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

This is the − sign, also called the subtraction sign. This sign is dot 5 in the first cell, and dots 3, 6 in the second cell.

Above the middle line are 3 rows of braille.

What does the first row say?

The first row says: 7−5

How about the next row?

The second row says: 42−18.

And now the last row.

If you read: 903−648 . . . you got it!

Below the middle line are 3 more rows of braille.

Which row is written correctly for: 38−16?

Did you choose the third row? Well done!

In the first row, the 2 cells that make the − sign are reversed.

And the second row is missing a numeric indicator following the − sign.

Turn the page.

Page 4

Feel the + and − signs in the top left corner of the page.

Above the middle line are 4 rows of braille.

These are a little tricky—watch for some special symbols that you’ve learned earlier.

Go ahead and read row 1.

Row 1 says: 28′ plus 35′.

Now read row 2.

This one says: 49¢−10¢.

And how about row 3?

If you read: £76−£27 . . . that’s it!

And now read row 4.

This one says: 60″+89″

Below the middle line you’ll find 3 more numbered statements in braille.

Read number 1.

Row 1 says: A+ is better than A−.

How about number 2?

This one says: The thermometer measures from

−50° C to +50° C.

Finally, read number 3.

Did you read: The young customer asked, "What is 17¢+63¢?"

That’s right!

If you’d like to try this page again, you can always use the Replay button.

And if you have questions about any of these braille symbols and how to use them, just reach out to a braille expert.

When you’re ready, go to the next page.

Page 5

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

Here are a few more special symbols. These are the math symbols for ×, ÷, and =.

In the first row above the middle line, read the first symbol.

This is the × symbol.

Now read the symbol in the second row.

This is the ÷ sign.

Finally, read the symbol in the last row.

This is the = sign.

Below the middle line are 3 rows of braille.

Notice that the × and ÷ signs also end numeric mode, just like the + and − signs, so the numeric indicator must be repeated, following the sign.

Also, the × and ÷ signs should not have a space before or after, when they’re used in a math problem.

But a space is always used before and after the = sign.

Let's read the first row together.

The first row says: 7×8 = 56

Now let’s read the next row.

This one says: 9÷3 = 3

Finally, the third row says:

0 = none

Turn the page.

Page 6

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

This is the = sign: dot 5 in the first cell and dots 2, 3, 5, 6 in the second cell.

Above the middle line are 3 rows of braille.

Once again, use the Pause button or the spacebar to stop the audio for as long as you need to complete an activity. Then select the Play button, or press the spacebar again, to hear the feedback.

Which row has the equals sign?

If you said the equals sign is in the first row, you found it!

Below the middle line are 3 more rows of braille.

Read the first row.

Did you read: 9+7 = 16?

That’s it! Next, try the second row.

This one says: 38 = 50−12

Finally, what does the last row say?

The last row says: 3 ft = 1 yd

Move to the next page.

Page 7

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

This is the times sign, also called the multiplication sign. This symbol is dot 5 in the first cell and dots 2, 3, 6 in the second cell.

Above the middle line are 3 rows of braille.

Read these 3 rows and find the multiplication sign.

If you chose the third row, you got it!

Below the middle line are 3 more rows of braille.

What does row 1 say?

It says: 4×7 = 28

What about row 2?

Did you read: 9'×3' = 27 sq. ft.?

Well done!

Finally, read number 3.

This one says:

weekly mileage: 28 mi. per day × 5 = 140 miles

Did you notice the space before and after the × symbol?

In braille, these symbols are spaced the same as they are in print.

When words are included, there are often spaces before or after a +, −, ×, or ÷ symbol to make it more clear and easier to read.

Turn the page.

Page 8

Feel the braille in the top left corner of the page.

This is the ÷ sign, also called the division sign.

This braille symbol is used for the print division sign that has a horizontal line with one dot above and one dot below the line.

In braille, the division sign is dot 5 in the first cell and dots 3, 4 in the second cell.

Above the middle line are 3 rows of braille.

Which row has the ÷ sign?

Did you pick the third row? That’s right!

In the first row, the second cell is dots 1, 6 instead of dots 3, 4.

And in the middle row, the first cell is dot 2 instead of dot 5.

Below the line middle line you’ll find 3 braille items.

What does the first one say?

If you read: 48÷6 = 8 . . . you got it!

How about the item on the next two rows?

This one says:

Yearly electric bill = $2,091.84÷12 months = $174.32 per month

Finally, give the last one a try.

The last row reads: # of people ÷ 4 = # of pizzas to order

That one was tricky, because the print number sign was used instead of the word “number.”

Go to the next page.

Page 9

Feel the +, −, ×, ÷, and = symbols in the top left corner of the page.

Above the middle line are 3 rows of braille.

Which row shows the symbols in this order: ×, ÷, =, +, −: If you said it’s the second row, you got it!

Below the middle line are 5 numbered rows.

Go ahead and read row number 1.

Row 1 says: Most homes cost 350K+

Now try row 2.

This one says: 25 people, + or − a few attend each week

How about row 3?

If you read: 7×4 = 4×7 . . . that's it!

Now give number 4 a try.

Number 4 reads: 14÷2 = 1/2×14

Finally, read row number 5.

Row 5 says:

The thermometer measures from −20° F to +120° F.

Turn the page.

Page 10

Feel the +, −, ×, ÷, and = signs in the top left corner of the page.

Next, pause the audio and read the braille on this page and the next page, which describes some details about a party—and when you’re done, we’ll look at some questions.

That was some tricky reading!

Let’s look at some questions.

First, what is the party celebrating?

It’s for a 25th anniversary.

What amounts are added to get the grand total cost?

$821.60+$2500+$4550+$230 = $8101.60

Which item for the party will cost the most?

The food will cost the most.

And how did they arrive at the total cost for food?

They added the total cost for the food per plate, $4200 and the cost of the cake, $350.

What is the math equation for figuring out how many vans are needed?

It’s 150 guests divided by 12 people per van.

Nice work!

Being able to read these math symbols and equations is a handy skill to have!

When you’re ready to complete this workshop, select Next.

Completion

Congratulations, you’ve learned five special symbols for basic math!

If you have any questions about using these symbols, reach out to a Hadley braille expert at 847-784-2816. We’re always happy to help!