fractions

  • Thread starter Thread starter ann
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ann

Is it possible to type fractions via keyboard on my new
Windows XP - Home Edition? Suggestions appreciated.
 
Charmap has an assortment of fractions,
The easiest way is just to use the forward slash mark, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 etc.
 
As Sqire says - the Character Map will provide the common
Fractions - you can also use the Keyboard Shortcuts -
which are derived from the Character Map

With the NumLock on and using the Numpad- here's a few
for starters...

¼ = ALT+0188
½ = ALT+0189
¾ = ALT+0190

If they're too small - Edit them to a larger Font Size

Lesley
 
ann said:
Is it possible to type fractions via keyboard on my new
Windows XP - Home Edition? Suggestions appreciated.
Click to expand...

There is no quick, easy way of producing vulgar fractions (apart from
the few common fractions others have mentioned). Anything you achieved
would come from some application, such as Word, and not from WindowsXP.

How serious do you want to get? Is the suggestion from Squire all you
need?

Do you want to consider typographic aspects of fractions? The numerator
and denominator numerals are typically not just scaled-down numerals. In
addition to being scaled-down, the weight is increased, with
proportionally heavier stems than scaling alone would produce. Are you
interested in this aspect?

Some attempts at generating fractions use your word processor
superscript formatting for the numerator and subscript formatting for
the denominator.

The forward slash on the keyboard is not ideal for making fractions
because it has a slope that is too steep. What is wanted is a character
from the font called Symbol. This has the correct angle, and something
that is technically called "negative right and left sidebearings". This
means that when it is inserted between two numbers, the numbers jump
inwards to partly overlap each side of the sloping line, which is just
what is needed for fractions.

Taking another approach, have a look at the Equation Editor that comes
with Microsoft Word; this can be used to generate fractions. Once it is
set up, the fraction 'five and seven ninths' can be made with just six
mouse-clicks and typing in 5, 7 and 9. Using the Equation Editor, the
line separating the numerator and denominator is horizontal, and not a
forward slash.

Respond if you want more details. Stick to what Squire says if you just
want to type in a simple fraction now and again.

Dee,
 
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