Numbers

Numbers are contracted in Grade 3 Braille. All 63 possible braille characters are employed to stand for a number, so any number up to 63 can be written in one cell. The normal number sign, # dots 3456, is used followed by the braille symbol standing for that number. The progression of braille symbols follows thusly:

1-10

a b c d e f g h i j

11-20 Add dot 3

k l m n o p q r s t

21-30 Add dots 36

u v x y z & = ( ! )

31-40 Add dot 6

* < % ? : $ ] \ [ w

41-50 Use the Lower Half of the Cell

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

51-60

/ + # > ' - @ ^ _ "

61-63

. ; ,

NOTE: Numbers higher than 54 and J, standing for 10, become difficult to recognize and should not be used unless they are absolutely clear, like in a numbered list or in page numbering. Clarity is the most important point here.

Groupings of numbers should be made in an easily readable manner. For example, the number 125 should be: #1Z and not #LE.

The comma can be left out of long numbers to save space and reduce confusion with the number 41.

Examples

23 #x

38 #|

125 #az

Look on page 52. lk o p7 #+4

Dates

For space-saving reasons, dates can be written as numbers rather than words. Separated punctuation is removed. The century can be removed if the meaning remains clear from the context.

Examples

May 26, 2014 #e&n

September 13th, 1966 #lmsff

7-4-1776 #gdqgf

Times

Times are brailled in Grade 3 without separating colons. Double zeros are omitted.

Examples

12:35 p.m. #l: p'm'

7:30 a.m. #g) a'm'

8:00 sharp #h %>p

Fractions

Fractions with a 1 or 3 as the numerator can be brailled in one cell by using dot 1 and 4 and adding the denominator to the bottom portion of the cell. For clarity, the denominator is placed as far from the numerator as possible. A single -, dots 36, is inserted after the number sign to indicate that a fraction is present. Fractions with other numerators are written with the numerator in the top part of the cell, followed immediately by the denominator in the bottom portion. Mixed numbers are separated from the fractional parts with a - 36.

Examples

¹⁄₂ #-:

¹⁄₃ #-u

¹⁄₄ #-\

³⁄₄ #-]

2¹⁄₅ #b-<

⁷⁄₁₀ #g10