Configure Hand for a specific mathematical domain

Configure MathType Hand recognition to improve accuracy for a specific mathematical domain. Hand can recognize a wide range of mathematical expressions. In some contexts, this flexibility can make recognition ambiguous. For example, handwritten symbols such as 2 and z, 5 and S, or x and × can be difficult to distinguish.

You can improve recognition accuracy by limiting the symbols and structures that Hand should consider. After completing this guide, Hand will prioritize the mathematical notation expected in your use case.

Before you begin

Requirements

Make sure you have:

• A working MathType integration with Hand enabled.
• Access to the frontend configuration where Hand parameters are defined.
• A clear list of the symbols and structures expected in your mathematical domain.

Applies to

MathType integrations using Hand recognition.

Steps

Define your mathematical domain

Identify the type of notation users are expected to write. For example, in elementary math, users may only need:

• Numbers.
• Basic operators.
• Fractions.
• Radicals.
• Parentheses.

They usually do not need structures such as matrices, integrals, or limits.

Configure recognition constraints

Use Hand constraints to define the symbols and structures that should be recognized. For example, the following configuration adapts Hand recognition to elementary math:

hand.setParams({
  constraints: {
    symbols: ["0", "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", "=", "+", "-", "/", "\u00D7", "\u00F7", ",", ".", "\u221A", "(", ")"],
    structure: ["General", "Fractions", "Radicals"]
  }
});

This configuration allows Hand to recognize operations with numbers, fractions, and radicals.

Apply the configuration

Save the frontend configuration and reload the page where Hand is loaded. If your application bundles frontend assets, rebuild or redeploy the application if required.

Verify the configuration

Open MathType Hand and write expressions that belong to your configured domain. For example, if you configured elementary math recognition, test expressions that include:

• Numbers and basic operators.
• Fractions.
• Radicals.
• Parentheses.

Verify that Hand recognizes the expected symbols and structures.

Verify it worked

Ask users to write representative expressions from your target domain. Confirm that:

• Expected symbols are recognized correctly.
• Excluded symbols or structures are not prioritized.
• Recognition accuracy improves for the intended use case.

Common issues

Expected symbols are not recognized

Verify that:

• The symbols are included in the symbols constraint.
• The symbols are written using the expected Unicode value.
• The configuration has been applied to the Hand instance.

Expected structures are not recognized

Verify that:

• The required structures are included in the structure constraint.
• The expression belongs to the configured mathematical domain.
• The frontend configuration has been reloaded.

Recognition is too restrictive

Verify that:

• The symbol list includes all notation users are expected to write.
• The structure list includes all required expression types.
• The configured domain is not narrower than the actual user activity.

Related articles

• MathType Hand parameters.
• Configure MathType editor parameters.
• MathType Editor parameters.