Web Math Formula Formation
Saturday, December 6th, 2008There is a new kid on the block, MathML. This standard, originally founded in 1998 by the World Wide Web Consoritum (w3.org), is a language used to publish mathematical formulas on the web. It has grown to maturity with MathML 2.0 and is now being implemented with increasing vigor. The purpose is to enhance the presentation of formulas, to increase functionality within the context of XML applications and to ensure usability to visually impaired users. The use of HTML and XHTML for formation of formulas is hindered by the restrictions of the markup language. So web developers usually resort to images which limits the formula as a functional device. By creating the Math Markup Language the W3 is setting a new standard for implementing math formulas within web applications that can coexist with XML.
The w3c interoperability report states:
There are a good number of software developments that have begun to make use of MathML. During the Candidate Recommendation review period the Math WG has received formal reports on ease or difficulties of implementations, especially in regard to new features introduced with MathML 2, from many of these efforts. There are several pairings of organizations mentioned below who have joint ventures using MathML for the interoperability it affords.
Design Sciene is a leading proponent of MathML and creator of innovative tools that publish edit and convert the Math Language. Their description of MathML states:
In MathML, these two styles of encoding are called content encodings and presentation encodings. Which kind of encoding is most appropriate for a given task will depend on the situation. MathML allows an author to use either kind of encoding, or mix them in a hybrid.
There is an excellent article by Robert Miner entitled The Importance of MathML to Math Communications
The importance of this standard to math teachers, web developers and students of mathematics is tremendous. The impact will ease the use of math and increase understanding in this critical academic area.