Expert: Sherry Wallin - 9/16/2011

Question
QUESTION: Dear Prof Sherry

Can we have a Mathematical Keyboard Layout Software Interface ?

The Designed Mathematical Keyboard Layout will allow the end users to type/ Key in All Mathematical Symbols, Mathematical Constants, Mathematical Operators available on the Keyboard Keys.

For example :

Some Mathematical Keys on the Keyboard given below

+, - , * , / , <=, >= etc

PI, U (Union Set Operator), { , } , Delta(Triangle) etc.

The Mathematical Keyboard will be a Software Desktop Application developed available for windows, unix os variants, mac etc.

Awaiting your inputs,views and suggestions,

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar

ANSWER: Absolutely. You can assign special symbols for your keyboard keys even now in Microsoft Word without writing a software program. You can write a little macro in Excel that will do the same so  yes definitely one could write a software to key in special symbols.

Math Prof

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Prof Sherry

Designing of the Mathematical Keyboard Keys Layout
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i.e. As we see there are total six rows on the QWERTY Computer keyboard.

Mathematical Keyboard Design -> So should we distribute two rows for mathematical symbols, two rows for mathematical operators, two rows for mathematical constants ?

Would like to add more keys for Mathematical keyboard ?

Attached Qwerty Keyboard Image ....

Thanks & Regards,
Prashant S Akerkar

Answer
I think your ideas are great but I think we have been talking two different applications. What i was referring to was using an existing keyboard for mathematical symbols and programming one of the function keys to be used in conjunction with a particular key to obtain the mathematical keys. And yes distributing the 3 types of symbols into pairs of rows seems more organized. Have I answered what you are looking for?

Math Prof