AVIXA Recognized AV Technologist Test

Frequencies in the spectrum of human hearing can be divided into ten bands, each representing what?

1. 10 fundamental frequencies

2. 10 dB of sound pressure

3. 1 octave

4. 1000 Hz

The correct answer is: 1 octave

The chosen answer points to the concept of frequency bands in human hearing, specifically relating to how we categorize sound frequencies. The human hearing spectrum typically spans from about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and dividing this range into bands can make it easier to analyze and understand sound characteristics. A frequency band represented as one octave indicates that each band covers a range where the frequency doubles. For example, if one octave starts at 100 Hz, the next octave would range from 100 Hz to 200 Hz, the next would cover 200 Hz to 400 Hz, and so on. This doubling effect continues throughout the frequency spectrum. This is significant because it aligns with how humans perceive sound; our auditory perception is logarithmic rather than linear. Within ten octaves, the frequency bands can be effectively structured to study how we experience different pitches and volumes of sound. This division into octaves also provides a meaningful framework for various applications in audio engineering, acoustics, and music. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the concept of frequency bands in the context of human hearing. Fundamental frequencies represent specific pitches rather than bands of sound. Decibels measure sound pressure level and do not relate to frequency bands directly, while a value like