32/17
| Interval information |
septendecimal diminished octave
reduced subharmonic
(Shannon, [math]\sqrt{nd}[/math])
[sound info]
In 17-limit just intonation, 32/17 is the septendecimal major seventh or the septendecimal diminished octave, depending on how one views it. It is also the octave-reduced 17th subharmonic. Its inversion is 17/16, the octave-reduced 17th harmonic. Measuring about 1095 ¢, it is the mediant between 15/8 and 17/9.
Terminology and notation
There exists a disagreement in different conceptualization systems on whether 32/17 should be a major seventh or a diminished octave. The major seventh view corresponds to Functional Just System, with the formal comma 4131/4096 separating it from 243/128, the Pythagorean major seventh. The diminished octave view corresponds to Helmholtz-Ellis notation, with the formal comma 2187/2176 separating it from 4096/2187, the Pythagorean diminished octave.
In practice, the interval category may, arguably, vary by context. One solution for the JI user who uses expanded circle-of-fifths notation is to prepare a Pythagorean comma accidental so that the interval can be notated in either category.