In computing, Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) is an application of XML that is used to render mathematical symbols and formulas, so that they can be presented in a familiar way in world wide web documents. It is a recommendation of the W3C math working group.

The specification of version 1.01 of the format was released in July 1999 and version 2.0 appeared in February 2001. In October 2003, the second edition of MathML Version 2.0 was published as the final release by the W3C math working group.

MathML deals not only with the presentation but also with the meaning of formula components. A system for marking up mathematical semantics, intended to complement MathML, is also under development. It is called OpenMath.

Example

The equivalent of the LaTeX syntax

x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

which is rendered as the formula:

Would be marked up inline like so in MathML:

<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">
 <mrow>
  <mi>x</mi>
  <mo>=</mo>
  <mfrac>
    <mrow>
      <mrow>
        <mo>-</mo>
        <mi>b</mi>
      </mrow>
      <mo>±</mo>
      <msqrt>
        <mrow>
          <msup>
            <mi>b</mi>
            <mn>2</mn>
          </msup>
          <mo>-</mo>
          <mrow>
            <mn>4</mn>
            <mo>⁢</mo>
            <mi>a</mi>
            <mo>⁢</mo>
            <mi>c</mi>
          </mrow>
        </mrow>
      </msqrt>
    </mrow>
    <mrow>
      <mn>2</mn>
      <mo>⁢</mo>
      <mi>a</mi>
    </mrow>
  </mfrac>
 </mrow>
</math>

On the other hand, the XML structuring promises to make it widely usable and allows for instant display in applications like web browsers and facilitates a straightforward interpretation of its meaning in mathematical software products.

Software support

Several utilities for converting mathematical expressions to MathML are available, including converters [1] between TeX and MathML. Also, Wolfram Research provides a utility to convert any mathematical expression to MathML.

Of the major web browsers, those that directly support the format are recent versions of Mozilla and its derivatives [2]. Other browsers support the format if external plugins are installed. For example, Internet Explorer supports MathML with a MathPlayer plugin.

MathML is also supported by major office products such as Microsoft Word and OpenOffice.org and by mathematical software products such as Mathematica.

See also

• List of document markup languages
• Comparison of document markup languages

External links

• W3C Math Home - Contains the specifications, a FAQ, and a list of supporting software.
• Latest MathML Recommendation
• Zvon MathML Reference
• MathML in Mozilla
• MathPlayer - A plugin for Internet Explorer.
• MathML Central - Website containing a utility to convert any mathematical expression to MathML.
• The OpenMath Standard