ERIC Number: EJ855796
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Nov
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0746-8342
EISSN: N/A
Tuning with Triangles
Harkleroad, Leon
College Mathematics Journal, v39 n5 p367-373 Nov 2008
This paper examines three historical geometric constructions for handcrafting stringed instruments. Using elementary geometry--in particular, triangles--these methods can provide quite good rational approximations to the irrationals that arise from tuning instruments in equal temperament. Interestingly, continued fractions help explain the accuracy of all approximations.
Descriptors: Geometric Concepts, Geometry, Mathematics Activities, Mathematical Applications, Musical Instruments, Handicrafts, Numbers
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A