Abstract / Synopsis
It may be difficult to assign a sequence to every piece of music, but a piece of music can surely be assigned to every integer sequence. The Online Encyclopaedia of Integer Sequences (OEIS), a comprehensive and collaborative database of over 350,000 integer sequences, offers a unique ’listen’ feature that converts numerical sequences into melodies. This sensory approach to sequences provides a novel way to experience the beauty and complexity of mathematical patterns. We describe the process of how integer sequences are mapped to musical notes, using modular arithmetic, and discuss the various parameters that influence the resulting sound. Highlighting specific sequences, such as the Fibonacci sequence and its Pisano periods, we demonstrate the auditory appeal and educational potential of these mathematical melodies.
DOI
10.5642/jhummath.SNPX8711
Recommended Citation
Firdous Ahmad Mala, "What Does an Integer Sequence Sound Like?," Journal of Humanistic Mathematics, Volume 15 Issue 1 (January 2025), pages 192-196. DOI: 10.5642/jhummath.SNPX8711. Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/jhm/vol15/iss1/11
