Mediant (operation): Difference between revisions
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In the context of [[JI]] ratios, the '''mediant''' M of two ratios a/c and b/d in lowest terms is M=(a+b)/(c+d). It will always be between the two ratios (a/c < M < b/d, assuming a/c < b/d). | In the context of [[JI]] ratios, the '''mediant''' M of two ratios a/c and b/d in lowest terms is M=(a+b)/(c+d). It will always be between the two ratios (a/c < M < b/d, assuming a/c < b/d). | ||
== Examples == | |||
* mediant of [[3/2]] and [[5/4]]: (3+5)/(2+4) = 8/6 = [[4/3]] | |||
* mediant of [[5/4]] and [[6/5]]: (5+6)/(4+5) = [[11/9]] | |||
* mediant of [[9/8]] and [[10/9]]: (9+10)/(8+9) = [[19/17]] | |||
* mediant of 9/8 and 19/17: (9+19)/(8+17) = [[28/25]] | |||
* mediant of 19/17 and 10/9: (19+10)/(17+9) = [[29/26]] | |||
== Generalization == | |||
The mediant operation can also be used to find generators and scales in [[edo]]s representing temperaments. For example, the perfect fifth ([[3/2]]) in 12edo which supports [[meantone]] is 7 steps out of 12, and the fifth in [[19edo]], another meantone tuning, is 11 steps out of 19. Hence the perfect fifth in 31edo (which is a meantone tuning because 31 = 12 + 19; more precisely, the 5-limit [[val]] of 31edo is the sum of the 5-limit vals of 12edo and 19edo) is (7+11)\(12+19) = 18\31, which is in between the sizes of the 12edo fifth and the 19edo one. | The mediant operation can also be used to find generators and scales in [[edo]]s representing temperaments. For example, the perfect fifth ([[3/2]]) in 12edo which supports [[meantone]] is 7 steps out of 12, and the fifth in [[19edo]], another meantone tuning, is 11 steps out of 19. Hence the perfect fifth in 31edo (which is a meantone tuning because 31 = 12 + 19; more precisely, the 5-limit [[val]] of 31edo is the sum of the 5-limit vals of 12edo and 19edo) is (7+11)\(12+19) = 18\31, which is in between the sizes of the 12edo fifth and the 19edo one. | ||