The numeric mode is turned on by the numeric indicator (⠼) followed by one of the ten digits (1-9 and 0) as explained in the post UEB Maths #1: Introducing Numbers. Other symbols that can appear within numeric mode include the decimal point (⠲), comma (⠂), numeric space (⠐) when immediately followed by a digit, simple fraction line (⠌), line continuation indicators (⠐) and (⠐⠐).
Numeric Mode Symbols
Decimal Point
A decimal point is a point or dot that is used to separate the whole number part from the fractional part of a decimal number. A decimal number is a number that consists of a whole number and a fractional part. The decimal point separates the whole number from the fractional part.
The braille sign of the decimal point reflects the symbol used in print – the full stop or period. The braille notation of the decimal point (⠲) is formed with dots 2 and 56.
There is no space between the decimal point and any of the ten digits associated with it. The decimal point continues numeric mode; therefore the numeric indicator is not repeated after the decimal point.
NOTE: If there is no digit to the left of the decimal point, it must be preceded by the numeric indicator.
Decimal Point ⠲ dots 2 and 56
For Example:
1.00 ⠼⠁⠲⠚⠚
0.10 ⠼⠚⠲⠁⠚
.100 ⠼⠲⠁⠚⠚
Comma
A comma can be used to split large numbers and make them easier to read. The comma splits larger numbers into blocks of three digits. The comma (⠂) is formed with dot 2. In braille we follow print for use and spacing of the comma. The comma continues numeric mode when it appears within a long numeral therefore the numeric indicator is not repeated when a comma is immediately followed by a digit.
Comma ⠂ dot 2
For Example:
1,000 ⠼⠁⠂⠚⠚⠚
10,000 ⠼⠁⠚⠂⠚⠚⠚
100,000 ⠼⠁⠚⠚⠂⠚⠚⠚
Numeric Space
In print large numbers can use spaced groups of digits instead of using punctuation signs as separators such as the comma, or a hyphen. In braille this is known as a numeric space (⠐) when immediately followed by a digit, which is represented by dot 5. The numeric space continues numeric mode therefore the numeric indicator is not repeated following a numeric space.
Numeric Space ⠐ dot 5
For Example:
2 500 ⠼⠃⠐⠑⠚⠚
25 000 ⠼⠃⠑⠐⠚⠚⠚
250 000 ⠼⠃⠑⠚⠐⠚⠚⠚
Simple Numeric Fraction Line
A simple numeric fraction contains only numbers, decimal points, commas, or the numeric space. In print the numerator and denominator are aligned vertically or near-vertically, separated by a fraction line. In braille the numeric fraction line symbol is placed between the numerator and denominator. The numeric indicator is not restated, as the simple fraction line does not terminate numeric mode.
Simple Fraction Line ⠌ dots 3 and 4
For Example:
\( \frac{1}{2} \) ⠼⠁⠌⠃
\( \frac{2}{3} \) ⠼⠃⠌⠉
\( \frac{3}{4} \) ⠼⠉⠌⠙
Line Continuation Indicator
A line continuation indicator (⠐), dot 5, is placed immediately at the end of the line to indicate that the symbols-sequence does not fit and is continuing to the next line. Since the line continuation indicator does not terminate numeric mode, a numeric indicator is not required when the sequence is continued on the next line.
Careful consideration needs to be made when placing a line continuation indicator at the end of a braille line. It can be after the comma or numeric space. Otherwise, it needs to be placed before the following: an operation sign, a comparison signs, fraction, or shape.
Line Continuation Indicator ⠐ dot 5
For Example:
Large numbers in print are often separated by a comma, a space, or half-space to make them easier to read. The braille follows the print in use of separation symbols and spaces. As shown below:
Example 1: This example shows a document that has a braille line of 20-cells with a long numerical-sequence using commas (⠂) that is split over two braille lines. In this instance the line continuation indicator (⠐), dot 5, is placed in cell 18 so that it can be placed immediately after the comma.
100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
⠼⠁⠚⠚⠂⠚⠚⠚⠂⠚⠚⠚⠂⠚⠚⠚⠂⠐⠀⠀
⠚⠚⠚⠂⠚⠚⠚⠂⠚⠚⠚⠂⠚⠚⠚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Example 2: In this example with the same long numerical-sequence using a numeric space (⠐) instead of a comma (⠂), the line continuation indicator (⠐), dot 5, is still placed in cell 18. so that it can placed immediately after the numerical space.
NOTE: When a numeric space (⠐) occurs at the end of a braille line both the numeric space (⠐) and the continuation indicator (⠐) are brailled, giving two dot 5s in succession (⠐⠐).
100 000 000 000 000 000 000 000
⠼⠁⠚⠚⠐⠚⠚⠚⠐⠚⠚⠚⠐⠚⠚⠚⠐⠐⠀⠀
⠚⠚⠚⠐⠚⠚⠚⠐⠚⠚⠚⠐⠚⠚⠚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Termination of Numeric Mode
The influence of numeric mode does not extend past a space, hyphen, dash, slash/oblique stroke, or colon, as these symbols terminate numeric mode, and the numeric indicator needs to be restated.
Space
A space terminates numeric mode. When several numerals appear on the same line separated by spaces, the numeric indicator must be placed before each numeral that follows a space.
Space ⠀ blank
For Example:
2 3 5 7 11 ⠼⠃⠀⠼⠉⠀⠼⠑⠀⠼⠛⠀⠼⠁⠁
Comma
When a comma is followed by a space as in a list, the numeric indicator must be used before the following digit because the space terminates numeric mode.
Comma ⠂ dot 2
For Example:
2, 3, 5, 7, 11 ⠼⠃⠂⠀⠼⠉⠂⠀⠼⠑⠂⠀⠼⠛⠂⠀⠼⠁⠁
Hyphen
Numeric mode is terminated by a hyphen (⠤), and the numeric indicator will need to be repeated for the remainder of the symbols-sequence.
Hyphen ⠤ dots 3 and 6
For Example:
11-05-2026 ⠼⠁⠁⠤⠼⠚⠑⠤⠼⠃⠚⠃⠋
Dash
Numeric mode is terminated by a dash (⠠⠤), and the numeric indicator will need to be repeated for the remainder of the symbols-sequence.
Dash ⠠⠤ dot 6, dots 3 and 6
For Example:
2020–2026 ⠼⠃⠚⠃⠚⠠⠤⠼⠃⠚⠃⠋
Slash/Oblique Stroke
Numeric mode is terminated by a Slash/Oblique Stroke (⠸⠌), and the numeric indicator will need to be repeated for the remainder of the symbols-sequence.
Slash/Oblique Stroke ⠸⠌ dots 456, dots 3 and 4
For Example:
11/05/2026 ⠼⠁⠁⠸⠌⠼⠚⠑⠸⠌⠼⠃⠚⠃⠋
Colon
Numeric mode is terminated by a Colon (⠒), and the numeric indicator will need to be repeated for the remainder of the symbols-sequence.
Colon ⠒ dots 2 and 5
For Example:
50:50 ⠼⠑⠚⠒⠼⠑⠚