Science Time with P-Daddi, Memory Methods!

How do people memorize Pi (π)? The irrational number that follows a non-repeating pattern in the decimal? Well, there are several really cool methods, some derived just for this task and others that have remained secret for centuries. 

The first, and most common method is telling a story to the digits. One variation involves the connection of each number (1,2,3,4...) to an object, and each time that number comes up it creates part of a story. For example, 1 would be a key, 3 would be a bird, and 4 a grape, and the first 3 digits, 3.14 would become "The bird grabbed the key in exchange for the grape."

 

Another variation of this method is much more compact. Every word in the story dirrectly corresponds with a number of pi by means of word length. For the first digit, 3, it would correspond with a three letter word, such as "the" or "pie". An example of the first few digits would be, "How I know I could dirrectly..." would become 3.14159... Pretty cool, but the WORLD records are set with another method altogether. 

The Method of Loci (plural of locus) is an advanced memory technique used origionally by the Greek traders and later by the Romans. It is also called 'Memory Palace' due to its... interesting method. It works (from what I understand) by visualizing a place that you have been to a lot and has memorized every nook and cranny of. The next step is to visualize a set path that you will mentally take every time you go through it. Following that path, if there is something you want to remember, you put a trigger object on things in the room. For example, if you wanted to remember to head left at Old Poplar Pike, you could put a left arrow on the door, and a "do not disturb" sign with the picture of an Old Poplar on it. While it sounds difficult, with practice it is possible to place 20+ things at a time in your long-term memory quickly and easily. 

And to close, Happy Mother's Day!.