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How Hideaki Tomoyori Memorized PI
to over 10,000 digits
Numbers, or digit strings, are considered
by many mnemonists and cognitive scientists to be
the most difficult data to memorize. If numbers
are both abstract and difficult, how did Hideaki
Tomoyori of Japan memorize PI to over 10,000
digits?
The answer is proper encoding, or the
translation of the abstract to that which can be
logically organized. Using proper encoding,
trained subjects can memorize all of the area
codes in the United States within a 24-hour
period.
The average person can only hold seven or
fewer numbers in their working memory at any given
time, using vocal repetition as an aid. By
encoding abstract data first as letters, then as
nouns, one can accurately store and recall
hundreds of items (images) both forwards and
backwards.
This introduction to encoding will provide
an overview of the consonant system
mnemonic, which encodes numbers as
consonants of the English language. In this system
of encoding, vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have no value,
nor do w, h, or y. Numbers are converted to
consonants, which are then converted to nouns and
images.
This is the sequence of encoding that
Tomoyori used to recall 10,000 numbers without
error.
Numbers are encoded as indicated below, and
suggestions for associating the pairs are
provided:
1 = t (also th) or d (single
downstroke)
2 = n (two downstrokes)
3 = m
(three downstrokes)
4 = r (the last letter of
"four" is "r")
S = L (you have five fingers on
your Left hand)
6 = j, ch, soft g, sh ("J" is a
near mirror-image of "6") (Ex: Jelly, CHips,
garaGe, SHoe)
7 = k, hard g, hard c ("7"
side-by-side with a mirror image form a sideways
"K") (Ex: Kite, Goat, Cat)
8 = f, v, ph ("8" is
similar to the lower-case cursive "f") (Ex: Flame,
Vest, graPH)
9 = p or d (9 is a mirror-image of
"P")
0 = z, s, soft c (0 signifies "zero") (Ex:
Zipper, Scarf, iCe)
Using the above conversion table, 8209
could equal "fan" and "soap", thus a fan made of
soap. If you can then place one such composite
image at 20 preselected locations, you will
memorize 80 numbers with ease.
Numbers are converted to words by the
phonetics of the letters, and spelling is
unimportant. Thus:
8762 = FKSHN = fikshun =
fiction (vowels possess no value)
Likewise, repeated letters are represented
by a single number unless two separate sounds are
made:
3230 = MNMS = Minnie Mouse ("nn" is
represents the single 2)
The second step is to take each composite
image made from 2-6 numbers and place them in a
sequence.
The loci method uses
preselected locations to sequence quickly for
short-term retention with the option of long-term
transfer through repetition:
1.
Choose a familiar route marked intermittently by
outstanding features. Horizontal
sequences are easiest to use: streets, hallways,
room perimeters, etc.. Using the path from your
bed to the shoe rack as an example, the following
locations could serve as placeholders for your
composite images: bed, bedroom door, staircase,
kitchen table, shoe rack.
2. Associate your composite images,
in appropriate order, with the predetermined
locations. To memorize the number (905)
811-3710, you could follow this
sequence:
a. PAISLEY (905 = PSL) sheets on
your bed
b. A huge PHOTO (81 = FT) of yourself
plastered on your bedroom door
c. Princess DI
(1 = D) sitting on your staircase
d. A huge MUG
(37 = MG) on the kitchen table
e. TIES (10 =
TS) where shoes should be in the shoe
rack.
By mentally tracing your loci route, you
produce (905) 811-3710. And guess what happens if
you trace your route backwards, taking into
account the order of letters? 0173-118 (509). This
combination of encoding methods automatically
permits you to recall digit strings both forwards
and backwards!
Encoding, and improved abstract recall, can
be used to learn 800 foreign vocabulary words in a
single 12-hour session, increase IQ testing
results by 20-30 points, or memorize all of the
ticker symbols on the NYSE.
Increase your recall
capacity by 500-1,000% and you can effectively
quintuple your lifetime learning capacity. Learn
to efficiently encode the abstract and the
benefits can appear, and practically be,
superhuman.
Authored by Adaptagenix DC
Staff |
