Overview
ISO/IEC 40314:2016 - Information technology - Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) Version 3.0 2nd Edition defines MathML, the standardized mathematical markup language for encoding both the visual presentation and the semantic content of mathematics for the Web. The standard explains MathML syntax (as an XML application), how presentation and content markup interact, recommended renderer/browser behavior, and handling of special mathematical characters and fonts. Examples in the specification are generally valid HTML as well as XML.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Syntax and grammar: formal rules for MathML elements and attributes, namespaces, whitespace handling, and the top-level element.
- Presentation MathML: token and layout elements (for , , , fractions, radicals, scripts, tables/matrices, etc.) governing two‑dimensional visual rendering.
- Content MathML: structured markup for semantic representation (numbers, identifiers, apply/bind, content dictionaries, operators and constants).
- Mixing and annotation: mechanisms to combine presentation and content markup, parallel markup, and the / framework for alternate representations.
- Host environment interaction: recognition and transfer of MathML in XML/HTML contexts, media types, CSS interaction, and guidance for MathML processors and browsers.
- Characters, entities and fonts: Unicode handling, special mathematical characters, mathematical alphanumeric symbols, and font recommendations.
- Conformance and parsing: conformance criteria, error handling, DTD/Schema/RelaxNG guidance, and media type registrations.
- Non‑normative resources: operator dictionary, glossary, change history between editions.
Practical applications
- Embedding accessible, searchable mathematical content in web pages and e-books.
- Enabling mathematical search, indexing, and symbolic manipulation by math-aware tools and engines.
- Interchange format between authoring tools (e.g., equation editors), computational systems, and learning platforms.
- Supporting high-quality rendering across browsers and assistive technologies (screen readers) when combined with proper CSS and Unicode fonts.
Who uses this standard
- Web developers and front‑end engineers implementing math rendering in browsers or web apps.
- Authors of authoring tools, equation editors, and CMS platforms.
- Publishers, e‑learning platforms, and digital libraries that serve mathematical content.
- Developers of computer algebra systems, accessibility tools, and search/indexing engines that consume semantic math markup.
Related standards and technologies
- XML and HTML for document contexts and embedding.
- Unicode for character encoding and mathematical symbol coverage.
- Web/CSS for styling and presentation; content dictionaries and MathML operator dictionaries for semantic interoperability.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 40314:2016, MathML, Mathematical Markup Language, MathML 3.0, presentation MathML, content MathML, web math rendering, Unicode, XML, HTML, accessibility.