How many of a note can we hear problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining how many harmonics of a specific note on the saxophone, with a frequency of 1,568 Hz, can be heard by humans, considering the upper limit of human hearing at 20,000 Hz. The problem also includes a related question about the harmonics of the note one octave below.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the frequency of the note and the upper limit of human hearing, questioning how to calculate the number of harmonics. Some suggest dividing the upper limit by the note's frequency, while others propose considering how many times the frequency can be doubled without exceeding the hearing limit.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to calculate the number of harmonics. Some participants have provided calculations, while others express uncertainty about the reasoning behind rounding down the results. No explicit consensus has been reached regarding the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original source material does not provide examples or clear guidance on determining the number of harmonics, leading to varied interpretations and methods of calculation.

AlaskanPow
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The frequency of the highest note on the saxophone is 1,568 Hz.
1. How many harmonics of that note can we hear?
2. How many harmonics of the note one octave below it can we hear?

The book really gives no examples or information on determining number of harmonics, so an explanation of the problem would be great.
 
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AlaskanPow said:
The frequency of the highest note on the saxophone is 1,568 Hz.
1. How many harmonics of that note can we hear?
2. How many harmonics of the note one octave below it can we hear?

The book really gives no examples or information on determining number of harmonics, so an explanation of the problem would be great.
Hello AlaskanPow. Welcome to PF !

What's the highest frequency that a human can hear?
 
20,000 Hz according to my book. Do we do this then ----> 20000Hz/1568Hz?
 
Last edited:
AlaskanPow said:
20,000 Hz according to my book. Do we do this then ----> 20000Hz/1568Hz?
No.

How many times can you double 1568Hz without exceeding 20000Hz ?
 
Well i did the 20000Hz/1568Hz and it gave me the right answer of 12 harmonics. I am not sure why it rounded down like that though.
 
AlaskanPow said:
Well i did the 20000Hz/1568Hz and it gave me the right answer of 12 harmonics. I am not sure why it rounded down like that though.

I had a brain cramp.

Of course 20000Hz/1568Hz is correct.

If you round up, the highest harmonic is grater than 20000Hz .
 

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