How to Memorize Pi using the Link System
How to Memorize Pi using the Link System
Pi is the most widely recognized of irrational numbers. An irrational number is a real number which cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers. Many people would say that anyone who tries to memorize an irrational number is probably suffering from a degree of irrationality themselves! Of course, it is impossible to memorize such a number as the string of digits is infinite in length and non-repeating.
However, many people do take on the challenge of memorizing pi and there are several quite different techniques to assist memorizing pi – or at least several thousand digits. The memory routine we will discuss here is known as the Link method.
Method – Build a Dictionary
- 1. The first step is to set up your ‘phonetic’ dictionary, so start by assigning each digit of pi a word which holds its corresponding sound. For example, 1 = bun, 2 = shoe, 3 = tree, four = door.
- 2. Next, form words by grouping together these sounds. The words created will suit best if they are actions or objects (verbs or nouns). There are some variations to the method here, as it can otherwise become cumbersome. To add variety, you can have several words for each digit and use a little artistic license. For example:
0 = hero, Nero, bought, caught
1 = fun, run, sun, gun
2 = shoe, rue, blue, glue
3 = tree, free, glee, see, fee
4 = door, floor, more, for
5 = live, jive, Clive, knives
6 = tricks, licks, sticks, picks
7 = leaven, heaven, even seven
8 = late, fate, bate, hate, gate
9 = fine, wine, line, shine
Of course, the numbers themselves can also be used.
Write Your Story
This is the fun part – build a story by linking the words together. Generally, the most effective approach is to create a sequence of events. Poetry too can be used – nonsense poetry tends to be particularly memorable.
For example a piece of prose for 3.1415 926 5358 979 would be:
Free sun is for fun – five fine glue sticks Clive. Free Clive late, shine heaven shine!
Of course, no self-respecting author would claim that as real prose, but it only needs to serve to memorize pi, and not to entertain a reader. You only have to make it work for yourself.
This method has the disadvantage of all association techniques – when reciting the digits of pi it is necessary to carry out real time decoding. It can be quite fun though.
Composite Methods to Memorize Pi
Composite methods can also be used to memorize the digits of pi, so that, say, the first block of a hundred digits uses a story, the next block uses a piem and so on. Then the blocks can repeat – obviously with different stories, as we all know pi does not have repeating patterns of digits.
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