Archytas–chromatic equivalence continuum

This page presents a topic of primarily mathematical interest.

While it is derived from sound mathematical principles, its applications in terms of utility for actual music may be limited, highly contrived, or as yet unknown.

The Archytas–chromatic equivalence continuum, or septimal–chromatic equivalence continuum, is a continuum of 7-limit temperaments which equate a number of Archytas commas (64/63) with the Pythagorean apotome (2187/2048).

All temperaments in the continuum satisfy (64/63)n ~ 2187/2048. Varying n results in different temperaments listed in the table below. It converges to archy as n approaches infinity. The just value of n is 4.169771, and temperaments near this tend to be the most accurate ones.

Temperaments in the continuum
n Temperament Comma
Ratio Monzo
−2 Dicot restriction 54/49 [1 3 0 -2
−1 Armodue restriction 243/224 [-5 5 0 -1
0 Whitewood restriction 2187/2048 [-11 7
1 Flattone restriction 137781/131072 [-17 9 0 1
2 Mohajira restriction 8680203/8388608 [-23 11 0 2
3 Coendou/Squirrel restriction 546852789/536870912 [-29 13 0 3
4 Sesquiquartififths restriction 34451725707/34359738368 [-35 15 0 4
416 (1848 & 3431) [very long] [-216 92 0 25
Archy 64/63 [6 -2 0 -1