LaTeX for the Visually Impaired

Numerous web pages use the MathJax facility for displaying mathematical formulas using LaTeX code using the $\$$ $\$$ . This page is written for visually impaired students who need to understand LaTeX.

Text between the dollar-sign characters are translated into images based on the LaTeX mathematics mode.

Variables and numbers are represented as is, for example, defining a function as polynomial may be represented as follows $f(t) = x^2 - 4x + 3$ . The caret is used to represent a superscript while an underscore is used to represent a subscript, e.g., $p(t) = a_2x^2 + a_1x + a_0$

Normally, a string of characters are interpreted as a product of symbols. Other special symbols include the backslash which indicates that the next word which follows is a keyword. Groupings of symbols are done with curly braces, e.g., {...}. Note that certain symbols exist strictly for visual layout and may therefore not be immediately useful for the visually impaired.

Fraction	$\frac{1}{2}$
Special functions	$\sin, \cos, \tan$
A derivative w.r.t. time (a dot above the variable)	$\dot{q}$
Second derivative w.r.t. time (two dots above the variable)	$\ddot{q}$
Arrows	$\rightarrow, \leftarrow, \leftrightarrow$
Double-width Arrows	$\Rightarrow, \Leftarrow, \Leftrightarrow$
Greek letters	$\alpha, \beta, ..., \mu, ... \Omega$
Roman letters (upright) for units	$\textrm{cm}, \mu\textrm{H}$
Bold face letters for vectors	$A\textbf{x} = \textbf{b}$
Left and right parentheses (the parentheses are the full height of the fraction)	$\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )$

Any feedback or requests for further information are welcome.

Douglas Wilhelm Harder

LaTeX for the Visually Impaired