MathML, pronounced /mæθ ɛm ɛl/ or "math-em-el," is an XML-based markup language used for displaying mathematical notation on the internet. The "math" in MathML refers to the subject of mathematics, while "ML" stands for markup language. The initial "M" is pronounced as the letter "em," similar to the pronunciation of "HTML" (which stands for Hypertext Markup Language). The spelling of MathML accurately reflects the language's purpose and uses clear phonetic transcription for correct pronunciation.
MathML, short for Mathematical Markup Language, is a specialized XML-based language primarily designed for describing and rendering mathematical notations and formulas on electronic platforms. It provides a standard means of representing mathematical expressions in a structured, machine-readable format, allowing accurate communication and display of complex mathematical content across different devices, software, and applications.
MathML allows mathematical expressions to be presented in a structured and semantically meaningful manner, enabling accessibility and interoperability of mathematical content on the web. It defines a set of elements and attributes for encoding various mathematical structures, including fractions, square roots, summations, integrals, matrices, and more. By using MathML, mathematical expressions can be represented and rendered accurately for web browsers, assistive technologies, and other math-aware applications.
MathML is compatible with other web technologies like HTML and can be embedded within HTML documents. It supports both presentation MathML, which focuses on the visual appearance of mathematical expressions, and content MathML, which emphasizes the semantic meaning and structure of the math formulas. MathML files can be generated by authoring tools or generated dynamically through programming languages, allowing seamless integration of mathematical content into different applications and websites.
Overall, MathML is a standardized language that provides a versatile and flexible approach for the communication and display of mathematical expressions across various digital platforms, promoting accessibility, interoperability, and consistency of mathematical content.
The term "MathML" stands for Mathematical Markup Language. It was created by combining "Math" (short for Mathematics) with "ML" (short for Markup Language). The etymology of the individual components is as follows:
- Mathematics: The word "Mathematics" can be traced back to the Ancient Greek word "mathēma", which means "science" or "knowledge". It has been derived from the root "manth-" which means "to learn" or "to think".
- Markup Language: The term "Markup" refers to the process of annotating or adding specific notations to text in order to provide structure or formatting instructions. It is often associated with the use of tags or codes within documents. "Language" indicates that it is a system of communication or representation.
By combining these components, the term "MathML" signifies a markup language specifically designed for representing and displaying mathematical content on the web.