Interpret Radiodecay Symbolism
The given expression


  $\ce{^{16}_{8}O}\,(\mathrm{n},\alpha)\,\ce{^{13}_{6}C}$  


translates as

$\ce{^{16}_{8}O -&gt;[+\ \mathrm{n}][-\ \alpha] ^{13}_{6}C}$

or

$\ce{^{16}O + n -&gt; ^{13}C + ^4He}$

and the expression


  $\ce{^{9}_{4}Be}\,(\alpha,\mathrm{n})\,\ce{^{12}_{6}C}$  


translates as

$\ce{^{9}_{4}Be -&gt;[+\ \alpha][-\ \mathrm{n}] ^{12}_{6}C}$

or

$\ce{^9Be + ^4He -&gt; ^{12}C + n}$