The Common Nature of Space and Time

The term quadrivium refers to the study of arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy. The Pythagoreans referred to the study of number which are Arithmetic (Number in itself), Music (Number in time), Geometry (Number in space) and Astronomy (Number in space and time). This paper presents the quadrivium as the foundation of a multidisciplinary approach to teaching basic mathematics. Through a brief but in-depth examination of two phenomena, the √2 geometric progression (a spatial sequence), and the musical overtone series (a temporal sequence) are presented in this paper. This paper presents a new relationship between number, geometry and music. While each is rather commonly known within the context of their separate disciplines, it is when combined that a remarkable relationship is uncovered.