Posted on 12. Oct, 2009 by Caveman

Number Rhyme System

In a previous article I wrote about the number shape system. This is a method for creating a substitute word based on what the number looks like. The number rhyme system is an alternative method for creating a substitute word based on the sound of the number.  Say the numbers from 0 to 10 out loud and see which word comes to mind.

The following drawing shows the numbers that came to my mind:

A list of number rhymes

Here are the numbers and words I use for my number rhyme system.

0 – Hero (hence the superhero)
1 – Gun
2 – Shoe
3 – Tree
4 – Door
5 – Hive (a bee hive)
6 – sticks
7 – heaven
8 – gate
9 – wine
10 – hen

Now that I have a series of strong mental images, I can use them as mental pegs for making associations. The items to be remembered are associated with the number rhyme image and the item to be remembered.

Number pegs

This system is very useful for when you suddenly think of something you need to do especially when you can’t grab a pen and paper. Maybe you are swimming, cycling or driving your car. For example, when I was on a walk I remembered a few things I needed to do. I associated each item with a number in sequence and I don’t need to write anything down.

Imagine if I thought of the following chores I needed to do at the shopping centre.

1. Post a letter
2. Buy a loaf of bread
3. Visit Medicare claim medical expenses
4. Buy a newspaper

I could imagine the following associations: Using the GUN, I walk into the post office and fire bullets at a target on the wall. My LETTER is pinned on this target. Using the SHOE, I walk on the dough being used to make BREAD. In the TREE, there is a large stethoscope (reminding me of a doctor) hanging from a branch. Attached to this rope-like stethoscope are medical receipts attached with hypodermic needles. On the DOOR is pasted the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald. The entire door has been wall papered with newspaper.

So how do I remember these items when I go out to lunch? First I think of gun. What am I doing with the gun? Shooting in the post office (going postal?) What am I doing with the shoe? Walking the dough. I think you get the idea. Creating vivid associations helps make the associations memorable.

The number rhyme system is a useful method of remembering short lists of items for relatively short periods of time. You can’t use the list for several lists as your memories will get jumbled.  This is the job of larger systems such as the Major System and the Dominic Number system.

Many number systems

These substitute words can be used in conjunction with the Dominic system for remembering numbers with an odd number of digits.

Now you understand the number shape and number rhyme systems for single digits, and the Major system and DOMINIC system for longer numbers. You should feel confident in being able to commit any number to memory.

Tags: Number-Rhyme-System, Number-Shape-System, pegs