MathCAT does not convey augmented matrix separator in speech output

[brichwin]

Description

When rendering an augmented matrix using the standard LaTeX convention of a vertical bar inside the array column specification, MathCAT does not produce speech that indicates the augmented matrix structure. The vertical bar separating the coefficient columns from the constants column is not indicated in the spoken output.

Source

The example below is drawn from the PreTeXt-based textbook Understanding Linear Algebra by David Austin, specifically Chapter 2 (https://understandinglinearalgebra.org/chap2.html). The LaTeX source uses PreTeXt's \amp in place of & as the cell separator, which appears to be standard practice for PreTeXt documents. 4.9.4 Exceptional Characters - The PreTeXt Guide.

LaTeX source

\begin{equation*}
\left[
\begin{array}{rrr|r}
1 \amp 2 \amp -1 \amp 3 \\
-3 \amp 3 \amp -1 \amp 2 \\
2 \amp 3 \amp 2 \amp -1 \\
\end{array}
\right]
\end{equation*}

The {rrr|r} column specification is the conventional LaTeX idiom for an augmented matrix: three right-aligned coefficient columns followed by a vertical bar and one right-aligned constants column.

MathCAT speech output (observed)

the 3 by 4 matrix; row 1; column 1; 1, column 2; 2, column 3; negative 1, column 4; 3; 
row 2; column 1; negative 3, column 2; 3, column 3; negative 1, column 4; 2; 
row 3; column 1; 2, column 2; 3, column 3; 2, column 4; negative 1; end matrix

Expected behavior

The speech output should communicate that this is an augmented matrix and that a separator exists between the third and fourth columns. Possible phrasings include:

• "the 3 by 4 augmented matrix"
• announcing the divider, e.g. "column 3; negative 1, separator, column 4; 3"
• Perhaps when navigating zoomed in to move element by element consider if navigation should stop on the separator?

Without any indication of the separator, a screen reader user cannot distinguish an augmented matrix from an ordinary 3-by-4 matrix, which changes the mathematical meaning.

I did not review the braille output.