First, you’ll watch a video to learn about how Manny Dominguez and Luis Lopez started DobleFlo and how they use math in producing hip-hop music. At the end of the video, Manny and Luis set up a music-related algebra challenge. You will work with a partner to solve the challenge.

Record your name(s).

After you’ve finished this activity, you will know:

• Some of the ways math is used in music and beyond;
• How to develop a strategy and create a model for problem solving;
• How to use rates, ratios, and proportions to solve problems (proportional reasoning); and
• How to use algebraic concepts and reasoning to calculate beats per minute.

Vocabulary

Read these words and their definitions. When you see them, you may click on them to read the definition again.

• Per
• Tempo
• BPM
• Rate

Think for a moment about the music you like to listen to. What does the music mean to you? Have you ever really thought about what it takes to create that music? Discuss these questions with your partner, then jot down your answers in the box below. Don’t forget to save your work!

• What is your favorite genre of music (e.g., jazz, hip-hop, pop, rock, classical, etc.)? Why?
• Do you play a musical instrument? If so, describe how math can be helpful in mastering music.
• How do you think mathematics might be used in music?

This video features musicians Manny Dominguez and Luis Lopez from Brooklyn, NY, who have formed a hip-hop duo named DobleFlo. Click “View” on the left to watch the video. You may want to watch the video multiple times before answering the questions below.

• Write down some of the different ways that Manny and Luis use math in their music.
• Describe the challenge that Manny and Luis posed to the students in the video.

In the video you just watched, Manny and Luis featured a sample of music where the tempo of the drum track didn’t match the tempo of the instrumental sample.

The tempo, or speed, is measured in beats per minute (BPM). Since the drum beat is programmed electronically, it is possible to use the computer to speed up or slow down this beat to match the instrumental sample. In order to correctly match the drum beat to the sample, it is necessary to figure out the tempo of the sample. DobleFlo challenged the students in the video to calculate the BPM of the instrumental sample to determine the correct tempo for the music sample.

Now it’s your turn to solve the challenge. First, click “View” on the left to open the Math in Music: Take the Challenge handout. Print out the handout.

Next, click “View” below to explore the Take the Challenge interactive. Work with your partner to complete the handout as you work through the activity.

Observe the strategies the teams used in the video. Are they similar or different from the strategy you used? Explain.

Now that you get how this works, try another challenge. This time, you get to pick your own music to mix. This next activity will provide you with another opportunity to match the tempo of an electronic drum to the tempo of the instrumental sample. Click “View” on the left to open the Math in Music: Try Other Music Challenges handout. Print out the handout.

Next, click “View” below to explore the Math in Music: Try Other Music Challenges interactive. Work with your partner to complete the handout as you work through the activity.

Reflection: Now take the time to reflect on this activity and record your thoughts. Click “View” on the left to download the Reflection handout. Print out the handout.

Instructions

Discuss the questions on the handout with your partner. Then, answer the questions on your own. Be ready to present your conclusions for a classroom discussion.