Scale Length, Frequency, and String Tension

This 9-page resource, from the STEM Guitar Project, is a math activity on scale length, frequency, and string tension. This resource provides some background information on string tension and includes a list of learning objectives, an activity description and directions, activity answers, and ten assessment questions with an answer key. The learning objects for this activity are:

1. Students will apply the mathematical concepts of scale length by determining the exact scale length of their own guitars.

2. Students will apply the mathematical concepts of string tension by interpreting, explaining, and solving an equation for calculating string tension.

3. Students will derive an equation for the unit weight of a guitar string by rewriting a math formula to highlight a quantity of interest.