render multiplication and division signs in textarea using JavaScript / jQuery
<p>I'm developing a very simple math editor, and I want users to be able to input [÷] and [×] by clicking on buttons.  I have put these characters directly in the code.  They are rendering as errors.  When I try to use <strong>&amp;divide;</strong> or <strong>&amp;times;</strong> the textarea shows <em>&amp;divide;</em> or <em>&amp;times;</em> rather than [÷] or [×].  I have CSS to set the font to Arial.</p>

<p>The code receives a param called <code>newSymbol</code> and then appends it:</p>

<pre><code>var textArea = $('#symbolsTextArea');
textArea.val(textArea.val() + newSymbol);
</code></pre>

<p>Any help would be much appreciated.</p>
