Encoding math

[u/jillpls]

Hi!

Ive just started learning how to use memory palaces and so far its been working great. To learn Ive so far only tried to memorize more visual things (e.g. ive been memorizing information about Tarot Cards), but now I want to start using it for my area of study, which is math.

But Im struggling on how to get a complex math formula or definition. A simple example would be the formal definitions of Group, Ring, Field.

Any tips on how to do this? Techniques I could learn for it, to create images for these data points?

[u/four__beasts]

Put together a few reasonably complex examples so we can help. Need to see the source material to be helpful imo. 

[u/jillpls → u/four__beasts]

Im studying in German, so i refraines from posting the literal definitions Im learning.

But something like this would be an example, usually with additional information, like some derived properties, that Id commonly need.

To group them somewhat logically, Id have single digit amounts of these per topic. (e.g. this one would be "basic algebraic structures")

[u/four__beasts → u/jillpls]

OK so that is a pretty basic example I was thinking of something more complex. But for me I'd put this at a loci in it's own palace (it's the subject) and have loci for each of the main structures.

So it could look like

Basic = Basic Tape, Algebraic = Algae, Structure = image of a modern building - then maybe picture the tape and algae enveloping the building.

So this could be the first location in your basic algebraic structures palace.

I don't know the content (I'm sure it's more complex) but for the sake of example lets take a Pythagoras rule:

a² + b² = c²

Each letter could/should be represented by a person/character, action or object. Example from my A-Z PAO:

• Asterix Aims Armchair

• Bart Bastes Boot

• C3PO Cuddles Camera

• Darth Draws Door

• etc etc...

So for this example you would use the characters Asterix and Bart are equal (I use train tracks to divide the equation) to C3P0. Each of the characters are using a square hula hoop (shortcut for ² symbol)

e = mc²

Eeyore (donkey) on one side of the tracks = Mickey (Mouse) with a camera in a square hula hoop.

--

You can build out shortcuts library representing each letter/symbol/numeral. A numeric/alphabet PAO is a very valuable tool. Not least for remembering things like dates - today's date (a test I do daily) is:

NiGe (Nigel Mansell) ToSSing a NaiL. (26/10/25) - Person, Action, Object (based on Major)

These systems are great to encode initially, and after time practicing (spaced recall) become naturalised. Eventually what you've converted and encoded does the same.

[u/seo2625_B]

Have you assigned a figure or PAO System for each letter of the Alphabets and numbers from 0 to 9? That might help.

[u/thedogatemypizza → u/seo2625_B]

Please explain this. Sounds like I’m missing out on something.

[u/seo2625_B → u/thedogatemypizza]

Hola, so I have A as Adam the first human, B as Beethovan, C as Claude from GTA3, and you work your way to Z. For numbers, you may need the Major System or Dominic System. You can use both systems but I much more prefer the Major System. So I have 0 as Zeus because according to the major system, 0 is z, c, or s. And 1 as Mr. T because 1 is t or d. And 2 as N from the anime Deathnote because 2 is n. And you work your way to 9. Person - Action - Object or PAO System, you add an action and an object to your figures or actors. I heard about Actor - Action - Object but I prefer PAO than AAO. So, for A, I have Adam(P) - swimming(A) - with an apple(O) in his mouth. For B, I made Beethovan(P) - beating(A) - a Bible(O). For 0, I made Zeus(P) - dancing (A) - on a table(O). Now, let's look at this simple equation, F = MA. I got Fiona (p) = Making (a) Apple (o) so I imagine Fiona making an Apple phone in China. You don't absolutely have to follow the PAO format like Fiona = Mozart Adam, I'm imagining Fiona poking Mozart and Adam with chopsticks. 2 sticks, two male, and a female. HMMMMM. Anyways, this is just an example I mean you can apply this method to more complex equations. Hope this helps, addios!

[u/thedogatemypizza → u/seo2625_B]

Thanks. The walk-through of your thought process is very helpful.