How is second inversion indicated?

How is second inversion indicated?

• A. By placing a four above a six after the chord
• B. By placing a six below the chord
• C. By putting a six after the chord
• D. By putting a six above a four after the chord

Answer: (D)

Second inversion shows up when the chord’s fifth is in the bass. In figured bass, you signal that by writing the intervals above the bass as a sixth and a fourth, i.e., a 6–4 figure. For a major triad like C–E–G, the root position has C in the bass (5–3). If you place G in the bass, the chord is in second inversion; the notes above G are C (a fourth) and E (a sixth), so you write 6–4. This combination of a 6 and a 4 above the bass is what marks the chord as being in second inversion.

Second inversion shows up when the chord’s fifth is in the bass. In figured bass, you signal that by writing the intervals above the bass as a sixth and a fourth, i.e., a 6–4 figure. For a major triad like C–E–G, the root position has C in the bass (5–3). If you place G in the bass, the chord is in second inversion; the notes above G are C (a fourth) and E (a sixth), so you write 6–4. This combination of a 6 and a 4 above the bass is what marks the chord as being in second inversion.