keyboard symbols

[Mitch Bradley]

Bert Freudenberg wrote:
> On Oct 9, 2007, at 8:15 , Albert Cahalan wrote:
>
>   
>> I notice that some keyboards lack the multiplication
>> and division symbols. Providing them for all kids
>> would be good, even if they need to move elsewhere.
>>     
>
> Why those? They are not used universally.

And even in places where they are used, like the US, they fall into 
disuse when you get to algebra.  The multiplication symbol is too much 
like the variable x, and the division symbol is replaced by 
numerator-over-denominator notation.

>  At least German kids are  
> taught to use "·" (centered dot) for multiplication and ":" (colon)  
> for division. And for real math formulae you don't need those either.
>
> I agree that having easy access to more symbols is useful, though I  
> doubt it makes sense to put them all onto the keycaps.
>
> - Bert -
>
>
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