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Math Forum » Discussions » sci.math.* » sci.math.independent

Topic: Is it possible that 3+4=8?
Replies: 21   Last Post: Jan 29, 2011 9:06 AM

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Brian Chandler

Posts: 1,898
Registered: 12/6/04
Re: Is it possible that 3+4=8?
Posted: Jan 23, 2011 11:54 PM
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Well, it's certainly possible that 3+4 = 6, as it is in the arithmetic
of musical intervals. Intervals are the distances between notes (in
terms of the diatonic scale, normally), using inclusive counting.
Using do-re-mi for simplicity (and - to indicate the interval between
two notes)...

do re mi fa so la ti do

do-mi is a (major) third and mi-so is a (minor) third, so do-so is a
(perfect) fifth. So 3 (+) 3 = 5 where (+) represents interval
arithmetic. This is all totally consistent, if slightly surprising.

Brian Chandler

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