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Before you can memorize and recall a number, you first have to translate it into the words that you will memorize. Say you need to memorize the number If a word is to represent 14 then its first consonant sound has to be T , D , or TH. The second and last consonant sound must be an R. You might have come up with any of the following: Any of these words represent the number So the words water , waiter , doorway , throwaway , even diarrhea , can all be used to memorize the number Below are some more examples of translating numbers into words.
Keep in mind that there are many other words that could be used in addition to those listed.
Be careful to not choose words that have unnecessary consonant sounds in them. When you pick a word make sure that it translates into exactly the same numbers that you started with. This happens sometimes due to the spelling of the word. You may have already guessed this, but the longer a number is, the harder it is to find a word to represent it.
Because of this, it is necessary to combine words to memorize long numbers. There are two good ways to do this.
Once way to memorize a long number is to just use a phrase or sentence instead of individual words. Using some creativity and experimentation, you might come up with a sentence like.
If you can find a sentence to represent a number then you will probably memorize it very easily and be able to remember it for a long time. The secret to remembering new numbers is to find connections between the number you want to remember and the numeric memories that are already firmly lodged in your brain, says Scott Hagwood, who had to memorize numbers in perfect sequence, among other tasks, to become the first American "Grandmaster of Memory. For example, he says, "If I'm trying to remember , but can't think of anything to associate with 58, I'll move to the number As soon as I do, the song 'At 17' by Janis Ian comes to mind.
As the music plays in my head, I imagine a now year-old Janis Ian singing the song.
Break long numbers into smaller parts. The average person can hold only about seven arbitrary units of information at a time in working memory. But by "chunking" or organizing the items in some way, you can greatly increase your recall capacity, says Thomas Crook, author of "The Memory Advantage. Want to see how it works? Try memorizing this sequence: If you interpret it just as a string of 10 separate numbers, you'll have a hard time remembering it.
But if you recognize two meaningful dates in the sequence, you have only three chunks to recall -- and remembering it is no problem. For longer numbers, look for relationships in the numbers. Do the first two add up to the third one?
The technique for how to memorize numbers is to do the same, but first we need a way to replace numbers with words that can be visualized. The key is to employ mnemonics, which means building associations that are easier to remember than random numbers. Want to see how it works? All sorts of websites referencing "" come up. So the words water , waiter , doorway , throwaway , even diarrhea , can all be used to memorize the number
Do you see a sequence of odd or even numbers? Then use those patterns to create a story with the more arbitrary numbers. For example, if the number is , note the pattern "" and figure out how it can be remembered using , Hagwood says. Our muscles have better memories than our brains, so don't just think the number, McCleary says.
Say it out loud at least three times. Try writing the number down a couple of times, or even singing it to a memorable tune. Once you've memorized a number, set a timer and think of it and the associations you've made with it again one hour after you've learned it. By associating the sequence of numbers into a logical mathematical equation, it can be a foolproof way to memorize numbers.
Of course, this method really only works for numbers that you can choose yourself because not all number sequences will also function as a math equation. Choose numbers that work with this method. For passwords, PIN, and phone numbers choose sets of numbers that can be made into simple math problems.
This way you can memorize them without substituting letters for the original numbers. Create simple math problems to help you remember numbers. Think of numbers that also function as math equations and choose those. You can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions — basically any kind of math problem you want — as long as it helps you remember the number sequence.
If you are looking at an answer key to the test, then memorizing a series of prefabricated correct answers, then yes. However using these methods to increase your ability to remember things like mathematical constants e. Avogadro's number , important dates e. Not Helpful 6 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Already answered Not a question Bad question Other. Article Summary X To memorize numbers, try giving each number a letter sound using the Major system and practice taking a few words and turning them into number sequences. Did this summary help you? Article Info Featured Article Categories: Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. A Anonymous May 2, Dominic system also worked for me.
VA Vishnu Akhil Mar 20, We have to remember a lot of drug doses, which can save a patient. Now I can memorize almost everything.