How to Memorize Complex Mathematical Equations and Formulas
For the problem-solver facing a complex math or science class, memorizing a long list of equations and formulas can feel like a daunting and impossible task. Unlike names or dates, equations are abstract and offer no natural hooks for the brain. The key is to transform these abstract symbols into a vivid, memorable story. This guide will provide you with a practical blueprint to help you learn how to memorize things fast and turn intimidating equations into easily retrievable mental scenes.
Phase 1: The Blueprint (Breaking It Down)
Before you even begin, you must understand the components of the formula. This isn’t about rote memorization; it’s about making sense of the parts before you try to remember the whole.
- Understand the Concepts: What does each variable and symbol represent? What is the function of the equation? Understanding the concepts gives you a framework for the information.
- Turn Symbols into Characters: The core of this method is to turn abstract symbols into concrete, vivid, and memorable characters. Each variable, number, and operator becomes an actor in a play.
- For a variable like “A”, you could picture an apple.
- For “B”, a bee.
- For “C”, a cat.
- For a number like “4”, a chair.
- For a symbol like “+”, a cross.
- For a symbol like “$”, a dollar sign.
- The more personally meaningful and imaginative the characters are, the better.
Phase 2: The Story (Building the Narrative)
Now, you will take your characters and weave them into a short, bizarre story that follows the logical flow of the equation.
Example: The Pythagorean Theorem (a2+b2=c2)
- Transform:
- a2: An apple (for a) wearing a shiny, tiny pair of shoes (to represent “squared”).
- +: A huge, red cross.
- b2: A bee (for b) wearing the same tiny shoes.
- =: An equal sign. You could imagine two perfectly identical people.
- c2: A cat (for c) wearing the tiny shoes.
- Create the Story:
- Imagine a little apple wearing shiny shoes. It sees a giant, red cross blocking its path. The apple hops over the cross, and a bee wearing the same shiny shoes joins it. They are now perfectly identical to a cat wearing the same tiny shoes.
- The story doesn’t have to be logical; it just has to be memorable to you. The more you can interact with the scene—the sound of the bee buzzing, the sight of the shiny shoes, the feeling of the apple—the more it will stick.
Phase 3: The Location (Anchoring the Story)
For a long list of equations, you should use the Memory Palace technique to give each story a home. For a math test, you could dedicate a different room in your mental palace to each section of the test (e.g., the kitchen for algebra, the living room for geometry).
- You would place the story of the Pythagorean Theorem in the geometry room.
- The first character of your story would be placed at the first location in that room (e.g., the little apple with shoes is at the door).
- When you need to recall the formula, you just need to mentally “walk” to the right room and the right location, and the story will unfold in front of your eyes.
By following this method, you are not just memorizing a series of abstract symbols; you are building a creative, personal, and highly effective tool for recall that will help you ace your next test.
Common FAQ
- What if I can’t think of a good image for a variable? You can use anything that starts with that letter. For example, for “x,” you could picture a giant X or a box (a box is an example of an x shape). The connection doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be memorable to you.
- How do I handle exponents and subscripts? You can use small visual cues. For example, a squared exponent could be represented by a character wearing shoes. A cubed exponent could be a character in a cube-shaped box. A subscript could be a character standing on a small submarine.
- Does this method work for complex chemical equations? Yes. You can turn each element and molecule into a character and create a story that follows the flow of the reaction. The key is to break down the equation into manageable, visual components.
- Is this a substitute for understanding the concepts? No. This method is a tool for memorization, but it does not replace the need for understanding. You must understand what the formula means and how to use it before you try to memorize it.
- How do I use this for a long, complex formula? Break the formula down into smaller parts. Create a separate story for each part, and then create a final story to link the first characters of each story together.
- Will this method help me solve problems faster? Yes. Once the formula is locked in your memory, you will be able to recall it instantly, which will free up your mental energy to focus on the problem-solving itself.
- What if I get stuck in the middle of a story? That’s why we use the Memory Palace. Each part of the story is anchored to a specific location, so if you get stuck, you can just jump to the next location and the next part of the story will be right there waiting for you.
- Can I use the Major System for numbers in the formula? Yes, absolutely. For a formula with a number like “4,” you could convert it to the word “roof” and then picture a roof in your mental scene.
- What’s the difference between this and just writing the formula down a bunch of times? Rote repetition (writing it down) is a passive form of learning that builds a weak, short-term memory. This method is an active, deep encoding process that builds a robust, long-term memory. The effort you put into creating the image saves you hours of repetition later.
- Does this work for all types of equations? Yes. The principles are universal. As long as you can turn the symbols and numbers into vivid, interactive characters, you can memorize any formula, no matter how complex.