Math 109 - Mathematics and Music

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

An elementary introduction to the connections between mathematics and musical sound. Review of integers, ratios, prime numbers, functions, rationality, exponents, logarithms, trigonometry. Review of scales, clefs, key signatures, intervals, time signatures. Frequency and pitch. The connection between intervals and logarithms. Tuning and temperament, just intonation. Scales and modular arithmetic. The mathematics of harmony; the sound of the low prime numbers and their roles in harmony. Harmonics, partials, and overtones. Numerical integration and basic Fourier analysis. The nature of complex tones. Analysis of instrument sounds. Human vowels and formants. Prerequisites: two years of high school algebra, and trigonometry.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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