httpwwww3org1998MathMathML

MathML, short for Mathematical Markup Language, is an XML-based standard for encoding mathematical notation and its structure so it can be displayed, processed, and analyzed on the web and in software. It is designed to capture both the presentation of formulas and, in the Content MathML form, their underlying meaning, enabling accessibility, searchability, and computational use.

Origins and structure: The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) began developing MathML in the late 1990s as part of standardizing mathematics on the internet. MathML provides two complementary markup forms. Presentation MathML focuses on how formulas look, using elements such as mi (identifiers), mn (numbers), mo (operators), mrow (grouping), and msup (superscripts). Content MathML encodes semantic structure, using elements like apply, cn (constants), and ci (identifiers) to express mathematical operations without focusing on exact layout.

Usage and implementation: MathML can be embedded within XML-based documents and within HTML or XHTML pages using appropriate namespaces. Rendering support varies by browser and platform; some environments provide native MathML rendering, while others rely on JavaScript libraries such as MathJax to ensure consistent display. Content MathML supports assistive technologies by supplying a machine-readable semantic representation of formulas, aiding screen readers and mathematical software.

Status and relevance: MathML has undergone multiple revisions since its inception, with major milestones in the early 2000s and 2010's MathML 3.0 recommendations, maintained by the W3C’s Math Working Group. It remains one of the key standards for mathematical markup on the web, alongside complementary approaches and formats such as OpenMath and LaTeX-derived rendering.