Lesson 4.1: Variables
Symbol
⠨⠏
Explanation
A numeral always represents the same amount and is said to be constant. A variable is a quantity that varies in its possible value. Letters are usually used to represent variables. If a letter is used as a mathematical symbol in a mathematical context, Nemeth Code rules, rather than literary code rules, apply.
Do not use the English letter indicator before a letter that is part of a mathematical expression. Determination of use of the English letter indicator depends upon the context in which a letter appears. It does not depend upon whether a letter is used as a variable, an abbreviation, or an identifier. If it appears within a mathematical expression, the English letter indicator is not used.
Do not use the numeric indicator before a letter which represents a variable. Treat it according to the rules for letters, even though it represents a quantity.
Use the capitalization indicator, dot six, if the letter is shown capitalized. Each capitalized letter in a series of letters is preceded by dot six since each letter represents a separate and distinct value.
Space the letters as you would any number or other symbol. Do not space between a letter and the numbers associated with it. Do not space between a letter and the signs of operation with which it is applied. Use the Opening and Closing Nemeth Indicators for any letter used in a mathematical context.
When letters are adjacent to each other in a problem, as in xyz or RTS, the operation of multiplication is implied. The numerical values of each of these letters (when they are known) are to be multiplied to give a product:
if x=3,y=2 and z=5, then xyz=3×2×5=30
Do not use the numeric indicator before a letter which represents a variable. Treat it according to the rules for letters, even though it represents a quantity. When an upper case letter appears in any context, the capitalization indicator, dot six, precedes the letter. When more than one capital letter appears in a mathematical expression, each letter must be preceded by the capitalization indicator. This is because they are separate entities. The English letter indicator is not used in a mathematical context, but it is used if a single upper case letter appears in a literary context. It is not used if there is more than one adjacent upper case letter.
The lower Greek letter pi is a constant value that is approximately 3.14. However, it is often used like a variable appearing in expressions and equations as π. When pi is part of an equation, it is formatted like other variables. Pi is a two-cell symbol. The first cell is a dot four-six, the Greek letter indicator, and then the braille letter p or dots one-two-three-four.
Example 1
⠭⠬⠔
Example 2
⠝⠤⠒
Example 3
⠼⠂⠂⠞
Example 4
⠽⠀⠨⠅⠀⠼⠢
Example 5
⠠⠃⠬⠶
Example 6
⠏⠕⠊⠝⠞⠀⠰⠠⠉
Example 7
⠇⠊⠝⠑⠀⠠⠁⠠⠃
Example 8
⠼⠶⠭⠤⠆
Example 9
⠷⠽⠀⠨⠅⠀⠼⠲⠾
Example 10
⠷⠵⠌⠲⠾
Example 11
⠼⠶⠬⠨⠏