More Exponents

Recall that a superscript indicator (dots 45) is used to enter an exponent expression in the equation editor and that any expression typed after the exponent must have the baseline symbol (dot 5) preceding it.

Nested exponents occur when more than one superscript is applied to an expression. The number of superscripts required is hierarchical in nature. This means that when you press the superscript indicator once one superscript will appear. Entering another superscript indicator will cause two superscripts to appear, and so on. Unless the baseline indicator is supplied, anything entered after the superscript(s) will be maintained as part of the exponent.

Note that, unlike when typing these equations out by hand, you only need to type one superscript indicator at a time. That is, even if there are three superscripts in the equation itself, you only need to enter one superscript per rise in level as opposed to three superscript indicators. If you enter all three at once, the equation editor will place the cursor on the blank cell furthest to the right, and you will have to enter the numbers going backwards.

Exercises

Type the following expressions into the equation editor below and verify that the equation editor produces the proper Nemeth braille output in each case. Also verify that a sighted friend can read each expression you have typed as it is displayed on the screen. Feel free to try your own examples, and to explore other combinations of nested exponents.

• 2 ^ x, baseline, ^ y
• 2 ^ 3 ^^ 4
• 3 ^ 4 ^^ 5 ^^^ 6
• (2 ^ 3) + 4 ^ 5 ^^ 6, baseline, ^ 3
• (2 ^ x ^^ y ^^^ z) ^ 2