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The 3 Fundamentals Of
Mnemonics Series

mNumbers: Easy As Pi
Two methods to instantaneously memorize numbers, taught through PI

Written and Illustrated by Sarah Ella Phant

©2021 Sarah Trustman, aka Sarah Ella Phant

All rights reserved. No copy of this work may be reproduced in any form without permission, except for
the use of a single image or brief quotation when sharing your glorious success and new passion for
mnemonics, or unless written by nose (real or clown) into a freshly baked pie measuring at least 4 feet in
diameter. If you’d like to share the contents of this work, especially in an educational setting, please just
ask! Knowledge is meant to be shared, but never stolen. Thank you for not stealing.

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CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

In a Pi-Shell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

How It’s Done . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Method 1: Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Method 2: The Figure Alphabet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Memorizing the Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Location: Time to Order Pi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The First 100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

A Slice of Pi at Any Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Practice and Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Suggested Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Appendix A: The Figure Alphabet. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Appendix B: Pi to 500. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Great Thanks To. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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Introduction
MJ, my daughter, decided she wanted to memorize pi. Being the daughter of a Mnemonist and a
budding Mnemonist herself, this quest was not surprising. It was, however, challenging; beyond
the fact that she was just four-years-old at the time.

Her enthusiastic quest was especially difficult because MJ is incredibly dyslexic. I mean uber, ultra
dyslexic. For much of kindergarten, she brilliantly fooled everyone into believing that she could
read. On Monday, her teacher would read the weekly book, a time MJ took advantage of to
memorize word-for-word each page as it was read. The rest of the week, she would simply turn to
each page, look at the picture and recite the words on the page by memory, just as if she was
actually reading the text. One day I made a
comment about page 6. MJ popped up with, “The
fox jumped over the chicken.” I paused and looked
at her... “What’s on page 7?” “The big red barn is
filled with hay.” “Page 2?” “Farmer Joe has a farm
with lots of animals.” This is how I discovered that
MJ couldn’t read. Her brain simply couldn’t make
any sense of the arbitrary squiggles (letters)
assigned to various sounds, even when she was
able to comprehend all the information the text
was conveying.

Understanding this challenge reveals just how

daunting a quest she was undertaking. Her dyslexia
was so strong, she couldn’t comprehend numerals.
Every symbol looked the same. How do you teach
pi to a child who can’t comprehend “2 plus 2” or “3
minus 0?” I was determined to find the answer.

The first method taught in these pages was

developed as a solution to that challenge. With an
early version of this method, MJ memorized 60
places of pi. At her school talent show, she
performed with a giant board covered with the
numbers of pi. As MJ looked away, a random
audience member removed some of the numbers.
MJ looked at the board a moment, smiled and
easily revealed the missing numbers. As a tiny
illiterate kindergartener, she stole the show.

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But MJ’s mastery of pi was so much more than just the performance. Knowing pi changed her. It
no longer mattered that she struggled to read and could barely write... no matter how hard she
tried. Kids that once bullied her, who had called her stupid, now looked up to her and would
excitedly quiz her in the hallway. Now, when she doubts herself and her ability to learn, she
remembers pi and knows that she is capable of learning anything. She just needs to be taught the
correct way.

Since the dawn of mankind, humans have used mnemonics to learn. Somewhere along the way
we’ve lost this vital skill, and with it we are losing our mental acuity. Children struggle to learn,
attention constantly pulled by the lure of screens, delivering quick doses of happiness with no
work required. Learning with mnemonic arts is fun and shockingly easy. It ignites the imagination
and strengthens neural pathways required for thinking and learning.

Performing with pi is amazing. I know 500 digits and have performed many variations with this
knowledge. I haven’t just memorized pi; I know pi. With the second method taught, you not only
learn pi, you also know which digit is in each position. By this, I mean you know that the 33rd
numeral after the decimal in pi is “2.” You also know that “1” is at locations 1, 3, 37, 40, 49, 68, 94,
and 95. With this knowledge you can do incredible things; true magic, true mentalism, using
nothing but the power of your mind.

While the process may seem daunting at first, I promise it takes much more effort to teach the
method than to actually use the method. Just try. Look at the images, follow along with the
instructions, and occasionally pause and quiz yourself... even if you think you remember nothing.
Without trying (often without realizing) you will be shocked at what you have retained!

If four-year-old MJ can do it, so can you!

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In a Pi-Shell

What is Pi and why should I care?

𝛑 is the number representing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, commonly
shortened to 3.14. Part of the beauty of 𝛑 is the numerals beyond the decimal point are both
random and infinite, presenting a perfect opportunity for memorization. Regardless of your purpose,
(be it to impress friends, to use in performance, or to exercise your mind) learning 𝛑 is an incredibly
valuable skill.

How it is done

The following two methods for memorizing numbers are both based on the same 3 Mnemonic
Fundamentals discussed in the first of this series, “The Amazingest Memory Test.”
(As a reminder, Mnemonics are simply mental tools that work with the way our brains naturally take in
information, enabling the user to learn and retain information with incredible ease. In other words,
mnemonics are techniques that help you learn/memorize.)

1. Images – Numbers are not natural to the brain. We are not born understanding how to count. Reading
and writing numbers is even less natural and requires more mental processing. On the other hand, we do
naturally take in our world visually. Therefore, the first step is to translate numbers into images,
reinforcing the mental connection needed to make sense of the information.

2. Location – The second way our brain makes sense of the world is spatially. Once we have translated
the numbers into images, we imagine them interacting with Locations we have prepared, allowing for
instant recall.

3. Emotion and Senses – Emotion notifies our brain that what we are processing is important, alerting
our mind to retain! As you make Image interactions at your Locations, take the time to make the
mini-movies weird! Go crazy! The more gory, silly, sexual, horrifying, gross, and graphic, the easier it is to
remember. Don’t just think about what each Location looks like, also think about what you smell, hear,
taste, and feel.

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Method 1: Characters (No Spelling Needed!)
This method was developed for my daughter MJ. As mentioned in the introduction, at the age of four she used
an early version of this system to memorize and perform with 60 digits of pi! I like this system because it’s
simple and super quick to learn.

1. Translate the number into an image. For this method we do this at a one-to-one ratio, meaning each
number is given a character:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Hero Gun/Sun Glue Tree Door Hive Sticks Heaven Skate Sign
(Wasps) (stickman) (Angel)

If we simply needed to remember a fairly short number for a fairly short amount of time, we don’t even need
to worry about Locations. We simply link the characters together into a strange story, being sure to keep the
Third Fundamental in mind. Done this way, the first 10 digits of pi looks like this:

Perhaps with a storyline like this:

An angry tree shoots a gun at a door. Why? Because he is at a stand-off! On the other side of the door is another gun wielded by a
wasp. A sign tries to stop the violence with glue, but this only causes more trouble, making the stickman stuck. And now the poor
stuck stickman is stuck again! But this time by the stinger of a wasp protecting its home in a nearby tree.
If we want to memorize more than one number, a longer number, or if we simply wanted to retain the number
more permanently, we follow the Second Fundamental of Mnemonics:
2. Give your images Locations to mentally file them so you know where to go to recall the number.
Location acts a cue for your mind, prompting the story that tells you the images representing the
numbers.

The Amazingest Memory Test introduced the Peg Path, a path I use to memorize quick things for short periods
of time. This is the same concept I’ll use to explain this method. For the second method, I introduce a new
path... the path I prefer for more permanently holding information. With mnemonics, it is always up to the
individual mnemonist to decide what system or combination of systems best suits their purpose. You, dear
reader, may find that you prefer this system stored on the new path or another path entirely!.

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As an example using pi, if you want to store in five digit chunks on the Peg Path, it might look like this:

1 is Gun

Out of the GUN shoots a… tree (3)?! And this tree is angry! It has a gun (1) and is aiming right at us! Look out!

Whew! Thankfully a benevolent door (4) has jumped to our aid, acting as a shield!

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2 is Shoe

Oh no! The shoe has a gun (1)! Look out, the shoe may be
shooting at us!

Whew, it seems the shoe is distracted and now shooting at a

wasp (5). But wait! This wasp is a peaceful wasp, holding a
sign (9) of non-violence.

When recalling the numbers, you simply go through your path of Locations (1 is gun, 2 is shoe, etc.) and then
let the stories that you have created naturally fill themselves in. Finally, simply translate your characters back
into their numbers and you’ve done it! (For the entire Peg Path, see my first download in this series, “The
Amazingest Memory Test”) This method is perfect for memorizing a series of “smaller” numbers, for example:
the serial number of several bills, a list of phone numbers, the birthdays of your grandkids, measurements for
a recipe, or the dates and statistics for an exam.

The downfall of the Character Method is that you know the number as a whole, but do not necessarily know
what specific numeral is at a specific location. For example, now you know 3.141592653, but how easily do you
know that 1 is at the first place and third place after the decimal? In which places can you find a 5? I wanted a
system that answered these questions quickly and for a whole lot more numbers than just 10 places of pi.

To memorize 500 places of pi, not just in order, but specifically which numeral is at which decimal place
for all 500 numbers, I turned to another mnemonic method I love, The Figure Alphabet.

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Method 2: The Figure Alphabet
A Figure Alphabet is simply a mnemonic tool assigning a specific letter, letters, or sound(s) to each numeral.
The mnemonist then uses these letters or sounds to form words or phrases. Because you can combine letters
to form a single word or phrase (translated into a single mental image), one image can represent any number
of numerals that you wish, and therefore is far more efficient than the first method for memorizing long strings
of numbers. Using a Figure Alphabet is incredibly strong and surprisingly easy with just the tiniest amount of
practice. Throughout history there have been many Figure Alphabets, but most creators of these alphabets
missed the First Fundamental of Mnemonics... Images. (See Appendix A for a deeper look into the history of
Number Alphabets, including a chart of some of the more popular systems
used throughout time.)

Keeping in line with the First Fundamental, I wanted my Figure Alphabet to

visually represent the correlation between each number and letter. I also
wanted only one letter assigned to each number, leaving the maximum
number of “free letters” (letters that aren’t used in the Figure Alphabet and
therefore can be used to create words and phrases without adding
unwanted numbers). While I do like Figure Alphabets based on sound, I
ultimately decided that sound is too arbitrary, especially with so many
different ways of pronouncing the English language. To avoid confusion
when teaching, I decided to stick strictly to spelling, regardless of sound.
After years of playing with various alphabets and letter substitutions, the
Fig. Alphabet I developed for personal and professional use is my all-time
favorite for several reasons:

● Each letter looks like the number it represents.

● No vowels, leaving all vowels free to make words, allowing for
maximum variety. (For example: 72 could be ToN, Tan, ToNe, TiN,
TuNe, TowN, etc.)
● Best combination of letters to make a wide variety of words,
regardless of number composition.
● Leaves a good selection of free letters to choose from, for a
creative selection of possible words and phrases. (For example: 75
could translate to ToeS or TreeS since r is a free letter.)
● Based on spelling, not sound. (For example, the word mnemonic
translates to: 32320, even though the beginning m is silent.)

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Memorizing the Number: Let’s Use Pi!

In order to easily “find” any digit of Pi, I decided to break the 500 digits into groups of 10. To further organize
for faster recall, I broke the numbers into set groups of (3)3-4, much like a phone number. A lot of research
went into creating phone numbers, how to best divide a long number into smaller chunks that are easiest to
remember, so this seemed a natural choice (a choice that has some surprise benefits I will discuss later!).

The first 10 digits of pi, broken into the three chunks, look like this:

Notice that we start our Locations with 0. This allows us to not count the 3 before the decimal as one of our
places, because technically 500 places of pi is 500 places after the decimal, excluding the 3. Starting each
group of 10 digits at zero also helps when mapping out into the tens and hundreds of places.

Translated into the letters from our Figure Alphabet, the first group of 10 looks like this

There are many options for creating words, but these are the ones that I settled upon as being strange and
memorable while remaining appropriate for all ages.

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A few things to note:

Chunk 1: MoLe Hat: Notice that even though T represents 7 in our Fig. Alphabet, we ignore it here
because we know to only pay attention to the first 3 Fig. Alphabet Letters in our first and second chunks.

Chunk 2: LaSer Pie: Don’t let the R throw you off. While it is a consonant, R is a free letter, not used in our
Fig. Alphabet, so we ignore it.

Chunk 3: ruNG SMile: Again, ignore the R, it stands for nothing. The L at the end of this chunk is also
ignored even though it is part of the Fig. Alphabet. We know to only pay attention to the first 4 Fig. Alphabet
Letters and so ignore the extraneous L.

Reminder: You can use this technique to memorize any string of numbers, not just pi. I love to practice this
method with License Plates and phone numbers, quizzing myself to see how quickly I can translate these
numbers into a string of fun words whenever I come into contact with them. Playing this game is a way to
regularly practice a little at a time without taking any time from my daily routine.

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Review the Fig. Alphabet: Places 10-19

Before moving to the next step (giving our Stories/Words/Images a Location), let’s quickly translate the next 10
places of pi to be sure you have a full understanding of the Fig. Alphabet Letters and how to create strings of
words from numbers.

Notice that again, we start with 0, but we now add a 1 in the tens place. Note that by doing this, we know that
any place value ending in 5 (5, 15, 25, 35, etc.) will always be the final Fig. Letter in the second Chunk. Any
place ending in 2 (2, 12, 22 ,32, etc.) will be found as the final Fig. Letter of the first Chunk, places ending in 9
are always the last Fig. Letter of the entire group, and places ending in 0 are always the first. (This is only an
important note if you are looking to quickly recall specific digits and will be covered in more detail later.)

Translated our numbers look like this:

And these are the words/phrases that I chose:

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Chunk 1: SuB Poo: This is my favorite type of translation. Clean, short, and only vowels added. Also visual
and strange, following Fundamental 3!

Chunk 2: T.P. Man: Acronyms are welcome! Just be sure that they are easily recognizable and not
confused with the words they represent. While T.P. stands for “Toilet Paper” I never think those words when
running through my Pi Path. T.P. Man is a character made of toilet paper, a hero really, and his name is always
T.P. Man. We ignore the N because it is an extra Fig. Letter. For the first and second chunk we only use the first
three Fig Letters.

Chunk 3: NuMB Hoe: I imagine this as a gardening hoe that has been so frozen it is covered in frost and
icicles. Most definitely numb from cold. (Again, a reminder, I have chosen combinations and images that will
be understood and appropriate for all ages. You, dear reader, are not stuck to these confines. Following the
Third Fundamental, feel free to amp up your images making them as graphic as possible.)

As we make each translation, we want to actually imagine each chunk as an image, continuing to follow
Fundamental One. To keep all of our numbers filed and in order, we now move to the Second Fundamental
and add Location!.

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Location: Time to Order Pi

Since we broke Pi into groups of 10, we give one Location to each group. Each Location is designed to look like
the number of the location it represents. Done this way, Location numbers prompt us to the tens place of the
pi place value number. In other words, if you are looking for the 27th place of pi, you go to Location 2 and find
Fig. Letter 7. When you get to each location take a moment to imagine the Location as the number that it
represents. These Locations are slight updates to The Memory Arts Locations. So, if you are familiar with that
path, you already know this one! To house digits 0-9, I created Base Zero, a headquarters for our journey that
looks like a zero:

Base Zero (3.14)159-2653

Place Value: (00,01,02)03,04,05-06,07,08,09

At BASE ZERO, a mole wearing a MoLe Hat (314) enters the room. He is hungry and wants to eat the LaSer Pie (159) he spies sitting on
the desk. Just as he is about to take a bite, lasers shoot from the pie toward a happy ladder. The laser just misses the ruNG SMile (2653),
leaving the ladder happily leaning.

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Location 1: The Tower (589)793-2384
Place Value: (10,11,12)13,14,15-16,17,18,19

We leave Base Zero, arriving at a tall TOWER. Looking up, we see that the Tower looks like the number 1. Suddenly, a giant sub
sandwich appears at the top of the tower and begins to go to the bathroom, dropping smelly SuB Poo (589) down the side. Thankfully, a
heroic T.P. Man (793) hurries to the rescue, using toilet paper arms and legs to clean the Tower. At the base, a NuMB Hoe (2384)
shivers, trying to help clean the poo, despite being so cold that the hoe can’t feel a thing, ultimately making a bigger, stinkier mess!

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Location 2: The Swan (626)433-8327
Place Value: (20,21,22)23,24,25-26,27,28,29

Beyond the Tower we come to a lake with a SWAN. Take a moment to imagine the Swan sitting peacefully, her neck and back forming
the shape of a 2. She lifts her wing, striking a GoNG (626). As the gong’s strong tone vibrates our very core, the Swan begins HuMMing
(433). We realize she is performing a magical spell to balance a BeaM NuT (8327) on her tail. Why? Your guess is as good as mine! Let’s
get moving, that wooden beam and nut are swinging pretty close!

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Location 3: The Volcanoes (950)288-4197
Place Value: (30,31,32)33,34,35-36,37,38,39

Location 3, VOLCANOES, doesn’t seem much safer. Notice that if you turn the Volcanoes 90° clockwise they resemble a 3. A PuS Cat
(950) sits atop one of the volcanoes, pus dripping from his fur. Maybe he wouldn’t have such skin problems if he’d stop sitting on molten
lava. He hungrily NiBBles (288) a HoLey PiTa (4197), making quite the pus and crumb filled mess. Hot, sticky, and gross, we move on
through this strange land.

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Location 4: The Stone Giant’s Hand (169)399-3751
Place Value: (40,41,42)43,44,45-46,47,48,49

We reach a STONE GIANT’S HAND, frozen in the shape of a 4. Long ago, this giant swam in the dirt, until one day his hand broke the
surface, hardening his stone for eternity. Now, a LarGe Pig (169) uses the hand as a chair. He is reading a map, when the map (much like
the sub) starts to go to the bathroom, dropping MaP Poo (399) everywhere. Thankfully, there is a WELCOME MaT SLide (3751),
catching the poo and sending it sliding into the base of the Waterfall in the next image.

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Location 5: The Waterfall (058)209-7494
Place Value: (50,51,52)53,54,55-56,57,58,59

At the WATERFALL (that looks much like the number 5), a CaSe of Beer (058) dives over the edge, miraculously not breaking or even
spilling a drop! Following is a NiCe Pie (209). It is clear that this pie is very nice due to his smile and adorable cherry eyes. At the top of
the Waterfall, a THor PHone (7494) waits, the Mjöllnir headset ringing nervously. The phone knows that if it jumps, its cord is sure to
get caught, leading to disaster.

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Location 6: The Whirlpool (459)230-7816
Place Value: (60,61,62)63,64,65-66,67,68,69

Feeding the waterfall, we find a WHIRLPOOL spinning in the shape of a 6. Floating in the middle of the Whirlpool is a HiSPanic (459),
NoMad Carrot (230) trying desperately not to be swept away in the undertow. To make matters worse, the poor Carrot has to avoid the
potentially hazardous TaBLe Goo (7816) seeping into the water.

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Location 7: The Unicorn (406)286-2089
Place Value: (70,71,72)73,74,75-76,77,78,79

Next we reach a UNICORN obscured by smoke. Take a moment to imagine the majestic beast, its strong neck and long face forming a 7.
Unfortunately, there is a hoe smoking a cigar, sending Hoe CiGar (406) smoke into the Unicorn’s face. The Unicorn is thrown into a
coughing fit, almost throwing the NoB Girl (286) from its back. Why a large female doorknob is riding a Unicorn we may never know! As
the Unicorn coughs, it also farts magical farts that sound like the most soothing NiCe BeeP (2089) we have ever heard.

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Location 8: The Headless Snowman (986)280-3482
Place Value: (80,81,82)83,84,85-86,87,88,89

We leave the flatulent Unicorn to find a HEADLESS SNOWMAN at Location 8. A female jar of peanut butter is smearing her contents all
over the snowman. The P.B. Girl (986) is oblivious to the strange black bird eating the peanut butter from atop the Snowman. The NuB
Crow (280) balances precariously as he eats because both his wings and legs are nothing but short nubs. Suddenly, a Mad Hairy BoNe
(3482) bursts from the Snowman’s side. The mad bone has a long beard and angry eyebrows and begins to furiously swat at the P.B. Girl
and Crow.

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Location 9: The Dragon’s Cave (534)211-7067
Place Value: (90,91,92)93,94,95-96,97,98,99

Just beyond the Snowman, we find a DRAGON’S CAVE, the sleepy dragon’s tail forming the tail of the hidden 9 in our final Location.
Beside the cave rest three of the exact SaMe Hoes (534). Apparently they were used to nail the dragon’s tail to the ground. The arrow
on the nail reminds us to NaiL Low (211) for most effective results. With the Dragon asleep and nailed, the TaCo Goat (7067) is free to
munch on his tacos in peace.

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The First 100: Tips

● Don’t try to remember anything. This sounds counter-intuitive, but just have fun. Run through the
locations starting with Base Zero and see what you have already retained. Use the images at first
and then wean yourself off until you can travel the journey in your mind.
● If something doesn’t stick, change it! Add to the story, making whatever adjustments you need to
make your journey memorable to you. Remember, I have to censor my story. You do not.
● A reminder of Fundamental 3: Involve emotions and senses! Think about what each story smells like.
Does the temperature change when you reach the Volcanoes? What do you hear?

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Performance
There are so many ways to present pi, whether as mentalism, magic, or straight-up memory. For many,
simply running through the digits is an impressive feat. However, I challenge you to think beyond this. Pi
does not have to be pi. What you now know is an incredibly long strand of completely random digits, and
you know them forwards and backwards, in chunks of whatever size you choose! For example, with just
100 places of pi, you have ten phone numbers (20 if you go forwards and backwards, slightly less if you
remove numbers that don’t clearly read as phone numbers), or you have twenty 10-digit serial numbers
or receipt numbers, or 40 sets of 5 digit numbers.

Giant Mental Numbers

In Annemann’s “Practical Mental Magic” he teaches a routine called “Mental Numbers,” a variation of
Blackstones’ “Giant Memory” published in “Secrets of Magic.” The idea is simple: in Annemann’s variation the
performer has a pile of numbered note cards. On the front side of the cards a 2-digit number, on the back side
a longer, larger number. In Blackstone’s routine, instead of notecards, the performer has a single prepared
chart of numbers. In each square of the chart, are the two numbers: the smaller number identifying squares
00-99 (in random order) and the longer, larger number. In both variations the audience selects one of the
smaller numbers at random and the performer can call off the longer number corresponding. In both, there is
no memorization because the larger number is found by applying a simple mathematical formula to the
smaller number. In order to add layers to the routine (and to eliminate the chance of a mathematically inclined
spectator recognizing the formula), Anneman makes use of stacked notecards. The smaller number on the
front of the card indicates the larger number on the back of the card directly below. In this way, when the
spectator selects the card, the performer calculates their selected number based on the smaller number on
the card above the selected card. Annemann suggests letting two or three spectators select cards and reveal
the numbers in an ever-increasing flurry of greatness.

Both variations are strong performances of mental greatness, but with a few potential problems that are
solved once you know pi. Instead of using a formula, simply use your location as the small number and the
corresponding 10-digit chunk of pi as your larger random number. Now:

1. There is no chance of a spectator recognizing the formula, as there is no formula. The smaller number
is the Location number and the larger number is the corresponding 10 places of pi!
2. You don’t have to false shuffle index cards or worry about losing your stack, because if you are using
cards, each card directly corresponds to the number on the back of the card.

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Play!
Beyond the original versions, I challenge you, dear reader, to vary the performance to best fit your purpose,
because the options are limited only by imagination.
● What do these numbers represent? Perhaps instead of notecards, you have a collection of receipts,
the smaller number coded into the date, the 10-digit number the corresponding receipt number.
Perhaps you have a collection of business cards. Since you are now familiar with the Fig. Alphabet, you
can translate your location numbers into initials or names that then prompt you with the
corresponding 10 digits of pi, but now disguised as a phone number of that business.
● Remember, once you know the first 100, you aren’t limited to just ten 10-digit numbers. You also know
the numbers backwards. You can transpose the first two chunks of three digits. You can move through
each group of 10 cyclically. As long as you know how to indicate these minor changes in code on the
“front” of your card, you now have over 200 combinations of 10-digit numbers.
● You also are not limited to numbers. You now know a random string of any 10 objects. For Pi Day
(3/14), I celebrated the upcoming release of this download by using clowns and pies to represent each
digit, resulting in a beautifully messy, chaotically organized massacre of pies! What 10 random items
might you use to demonstrate your mnemonic prowess?
● There are some wonderful variations of pi performed with playing cards. I suggest “Pi by Lars La Ville”
recently released through Murphy’s, available as a download through most magic retailers. Lars has
creatively combined sleight of hand and knowledge of pi to create truly powerful magic.

100 and Beyond!

In Appendix B you will find a chart containing all the translations and locations you need to continue your
memorization all the way through 500 (technically 499) places of pi. The locations used are my updates to The
Memory Arts Path, giving a specific theme to each group of 10 locations. Each Location was chosen because
the Location can be drawn or imagined in the shape of the Location Number it represents. In future
downloads, I will release these locations fully drawn, but you don’t need the art to memorize the stories.
Again, I do suggest if you have a journal, take the time to sketch out your locations. Even if you can’t draw, and
only you understand your images, taking the time to sketch the Locations and stories will further cement them
in your mind.

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A Slice of Pi At Any Number: ASOPAAN

Once you truly know pi, you can give the specific digit (from 0 through 9) found at any place named, or you
have a spectator remove a chunk of digits from pi and you can tell them which digits are now missing. Perhaps
my favorite demonstration is running through pi, naming all locations for any specific digit called for. (Meaning
if a spectator names any number 0-9, I can then tell them every Location that digit appears in the first 500
places of pi.) While we could use the methods we’ve already learned, creating individual Pi Character Paths
does not take much work and makes the recall instantaneous. Best of all, you now know everything you need
to know to make this happen!

As an example, I’ve included my Pi Character Path for Zero. My “Location” is prompted by the name of the
Number Character. For my Hero Pi Path, I start by simply imagining my hero and then following their story.

Hero Pi Path: Zero

(Locations 32, 50, 54, 65, 71, 77, 85, 97)

ZERO HERO is a manly MaN, but he is barefoot. He first puts on a SoCk and then leans over to put on his SHoe. As he leans
over, he farts a large heroic cloud of GaS. The gas leads us to notice for the first time that our Hero has a TaiL and that tail is
covered in a large TaTtoo. Just as we are starting to notice the details of the tattoo, a BuS pulls up and the Hero rushes to
catch it. The bus pulls away and promptly drives into a gigantic flower PoT, disappearing with our Hero.

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Practice and Review
You do want to occasionally run through your Pi Path and Pi Character Paths. Once you know the paths,
this does not need to happen often, and since a mental run-through takes just a few minutes, the
dedicated mnemonist has little excuse not to do it. I suggest practicing during a mindless task you do
regularly. Every time you do this task, run through your Path. If you have various Memory Paths and
Palaces you are currently cultivating, you’ll find taking short memory journeys throughout the day
actually makes you happier! You’re using your brain. Yay! You’re telling yourself familiar, interesting, and
funny stories. And most importantly, you know something you once didn’t know. Revel in the feeling of
accomplishment each time you practice.

If you are using pi in a performance, I do suggest practicing in the exact way you will be performing in
addition to your occasional runs of the Pi Path and Pi Character Paths. Meaning, if you will be writing pi,
write it. If you will be saying pi, speak it aloud. If you are using pi to represent something else, whatever
else, practice regularly making those translations aloud. Include pi, in whatever form, in your scripting
for your act (write it out!). If you journal, take time to draw your own versions and variations. My journal
is filled with invaluable mnemonic images that no one but I understand, because each time I play visually
with an idea through pen on paper, that idea is further embedded in my mind. In fact (fun side-note),
everything done in pen and ink for this download series was taken directly from my journal.

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Suggested Reading

13 Steps to Mentalism, 1968. Considered the encyclopedia of mental magic, this great work by Tony
Corinda inspired my journey into mnemonics. “Step 3: Mnemonics and Mental Systems” contains “The
Amazing Memory Test” -- the main source for my variation of the Memory Test.

Blackstone’s Secrets of Magic, 1929. In this wonderful book of mentalism, Harry Blackstone teaches
“Giant Memory” which can be perfectly adapted to perform with pi.

Practical Mental Magic, 1944. Theodore Annemann’s adaptation of “Giant Memory,” taught as “Mental
Numbers” is found in this classic mentalism text.

The Memory Arts, 2017. Book on Mnemonics by yours truly and David Trustman, teaching how to
memorize playing cards, specifically the Aronson and Mnemonica Stacks. Also included is “The List
Game,” inspired by Corinda’s “Amazing Memory Test.” Our former partnership and the creation of “The
Memory Arts” inspired my early work with mnemonics, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

Memory Code, 2016. The delightful book by Memory Expert, Dr. Lynne Kelly, thoroughly explores
various memory methods from around the world and is highly recommended for anyone interested in
learning more about the Mnemonic Arts, especially their history.

La Ville Magic Presents Pi by Lars La Ville, 2021. In his latest download, Lars has taken pi and shuffled it,
literally. His performance of pi using playing cards and sleight of hand is fabulous, and all you need to
know is pi!

Visit www.Sarahellaphant.com to sign up for my mNewsletter, an occasional delving into my work and
the world of memory. You can also join my email list to receive updates regarding future pre-release
Masterclasses!

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Appendix A: The Figure Alphabet

Figure Alphabets have been used for centuries to memorize numbers. One of the first systems of note
was that of Winkelman in 1648 (as seen in the chart). In the early-1800s, Gregor von Feinaigle started to
associate the shape and sound of numbers with the Fig. Letters indicated below. Most current systems
are adaptations of his Figure Alphabet. The Major System is one of the most commonly used mnemonic
systems today. Unlike my Fig. Alphabet, the Major System is based on sound, not specific letters. There
are quite a few other Figure Alphabet Systems, but the following chart shows the development of the
Figure Alphabet over time, listing several of the most common Alphabets.

Winkelman Leibnitz Grey Feinaigle Corinda O’Brien Major Sarah Ella

1648 1716 1730 1812 1968 1994 Fig.s

0 T D, T Z, Y S, C, Z Z, H O /s/,/z/ C

1 P B, P, W B, A T D A /t/,/d/,/Ө/ L
,/ð/

2 C C, K, Z D, E N N B /n/ N

3 F F, V T, I M M C /m/ M

4 G G F, O R W D /r/ H

5 L L L, U L F E /l/ S

6 M M S,Ꜷ Sh, J, Ch, G S S /tʃ/, /dʒ/, G

/ʃ/, /ʒ/

7 N N P, Ƣ G, K, C, Qu V G /k/,/g/ T

8 R R K, F, V G H /f/,/v/ B

9 S S N, Ȣ B, P P N /p/,/b/ P

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Appendix B: Pi to 500

Digits 100-199: The Desert

Location 10 (100-109) 982 PBN Pea BoNe

Cactus Tumbleweed 148 LHB Lazy Hay Boy

0865 CBGS CuB GaS

Location 11 (110-119) 132 LMN LeMoN

Pillars 823 BNM BoNe Ma

0664 CGGH CoG GHost

Location 12 (120-129) 709 TCP TaCky Paw

Scorpion 384 MBH MoB Hoes

4609 HGCP HuG CoPs

Location 13 (130-139) 550 SSC SiS Co

Sand Dunes 582 SBN Saw BoNe

2317 NMLT NorMaL Tee

Location 14 (140-149) 253 NSM NoSe Moo

Boat 594 SPH SPHere

0812 CBLN CaBLe News

Location 15 (150-159) 848 BHB BaH Bah

Snakes 111 LLL LuLLaby

7450 THSC THree SCabs

Location 16 (160-169) 284 NBH NuB Hat

Fishing Rods 102 LCN LuCky Nob

7019 TCLP TaCkLe Pet

Location 17 (170-179) 385 MBS MoBS

Stump 211 NLL NuLLify

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0555 CSSS CroSS Suns

Location 18 (180-189) 964 PGH PuG Hole

Clouds 462 HGN HuG No!

2948 NPHB NaP HuB

Location 19 (190-199) 954 PSH PuSH

Oasis with Palm Trees 930 PMC Poor MaC

3819 MBLP MoBiLe Pee

Digits 200-299: Zoo

Location 20 (200-209) 644 GHH Gory HoHo

Peacock 288 NBB NoB Baby

1097 LCPT LiCe PiT

Location 21 (210-219) 566 SGG SaGGy

Zebra 593 SPM SPaM

3446 MHHG Mayor Hard HuG

Location 22 (220-229) 128 LNB LiNe Boy

Flamingos 475 HTS HiTS

6482 GHBN Goo Hoe BoNe

Location 23 (230-239) 337 MMT MoM Tie

Bats 867 BGT BaG Tie

8316 BMLG BuM LeG

Location 24 (240-249) 527 SNT SNoT

Elephant 120 LNC LiNe Cat

1909 LPCP LiP CuP

Location 25 (250-259) 145 LHS Lake HouSe

Monkeys in Tree 648 GHB Goo HuB

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5669 SGGP SoGGy Pants

Location 26 (260-269) 234 NMH New Moo Hat

Lions 603 GCM Goo CruMb

4861 HBGL HuB GLove

Location 27 (270-279) 045 CHS CHaSe

Giraffes 432 HMN Hero MaN

6648 GGHB GaG Hero Boy

Location 28 (280-289) 213 NLM NaiL Ma

Bamboo and Panda 393 MPM MaP Moo

6072 GCTN Grow CrouToN

Location 29 (290-299) 602 GCN Grow CaNe

Cheetah 491 HPL HoP Low

4127 HLNT HoLey NuT

Digits 300-399: Thirsty Thirties, Ocean

Location 30 (300-309) 372 MTN MoTioN

Jellyfish 458 HSB HuSBand

7006 TCCG TaCk CoG

Location 31 (310-319) 606 GCG Goo CoG

Narwhal 315 MLS MoLeS

5881 SBBL Sew BaBy Lemon

Location 32 (320-329) 748 THB THree Balls

Musical Mermaids 815 BLS BLaSt

2092 NCPN NiCe PaN

Location 33 (330-339) 096 CPG CuP Goo

Stingrays 282 NBN No! Boy! No!

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9254 PNSH PuNiSH

Location 34 (340-349) 091 CPL CouPLe

Shipwreck 715 TLS TaiLS

3643 MGHM MuG HaM

Location 35 (350-359) 678 GTB GoaT Bow

Seahorse 925 PNS PiNS

9036 PCMG PiCk MuG

Location 36 (360-369) 001 CCL CaCkLe

Whale 133 LMM LaMe Moo

0530 CSMC CaSe of MiCe

Location 37 (370-379) 548 SHB SHruB

Eel with Coral Reef 820 BNC BoNe Cry

4665 HGGS HuG GaS

Location 38 (380-389) 213 NLM NaiL Ma

Octopus 841 BHL Boy HaiL

4695 HGPS HuG PuS

Location 39 (390-399) 194 LPH LiP Hoe

Shark 151 LSL Low SLide

1609 LGCP LarGe CoP

Digits 400-499: Space

Location 40 (400-409) 433 HMM HaMMer

Planet with Rings 057 CST CaST

2703 NTCM NuT CruMb

Location 41 (410-419) 657 GST Goo STar

Flags on Moon 595 SPS SPieS

9195 PLPS PLoPS

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Location 42 (420-429) 309 MCP MiC Poo

Ship Interior 218 NLB NaiL Boy

6117 GLLT GuLL Tee

Location 43 (430-439) 381 MBL MarBLe

Hyperblast 932 PMN Poo MaN

6117 GLLT GuLL Tee

Location 44 (440-449) 931 PML Poo MaiL

Planet Bridge 051 CSL Car SLow

1854 LBSH LoB SHoe

Location 45 (450-459) 807 BCT BaCk Toe

Crater Path 446 HHG HoHo Goo

2379 NMTP NaMe TaPe

Location 46 (460-469) 962 PGN PiG Nose

Black Hole 749 THP THree Pies

5673 SGTM SaG TiMe

Location 47 (470-479) 518 SLB SLoB

Ship Port 857 BST BuST

5272 SNTN SuN ToN

Location 48 (480-489) 489 HBP Hoe BeeP

Aliens in SpaceShip 122 LNN LiNe kNife

7938 TPMB TaPe MoB

Location 49 (490-499) 183 LBM LaB Mice

Shooting Star 011 CLL CaLL

9491 PHPL Poo HoP Low

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Great thanks to...

Raleigh Magic Club, I.B.M. Ring 199, especially to those members who regularly attend our Tuesday Zoom Jams
and have watched me play with pi for eight years. Extra thanks to those Raleigh Magic Club Members who
participated in my Pi Day Pie Massacre: The World’s Most Organized Pi Fight! Y’all are amazing!

Alain Nu’s Mystery Arts Dojo. This group is a mystery arts think-tank like no other, and to them I couldn’t be
more grateful! I’ve missed attending this group as I pulled together the final pieces of this download, but their
ideas and contributions are seen throughout this work.

The Ten Golden Ticket Holders to my AMT Masterclass. I hold a Masterclass limited to ten participants before
releasing each download! If you would like to be a part of this special group in the future, sign up for my
mailing list at www.Sarahellaphant.com. Their feedback, ideas, and suggestions were invaluable! Marc Carrion,
Bud Scott, Thomas Kee, Craig Fifer, Drew Cardella, Dave Griessmann, Adam Stone, Stan Bialowas, Florian
Passelaigue, and Joe Blitzstein... THANK YOU!

Drew (and Donna) Cardella’s virtual magic family, thank you for welcoming me with open arms. You have
inspired me and encouraged me, and for this I am eternally grateful.

Robert Ray’s Thirsty Thursday Group, thank you for patiently allowing me to interrupt cards and coins to
incessantly talk memory and pi and memory and pi and memory.

Vince Wilson and the Bizarre Magic After-After Show weirdos. Y’all feel like home. Now that I’m done with this
download, I look forward to joining you again!

My family and friends, who built walls of love around me, with a
huge extra thanks to Dan Harlan and my daughter, MJ. Your
support, patience, feedback, and encouragement made this
download possible. I truly could not have completed this work
without you. Thank you to each and every one of you joining me
on this journey. So much love! Thank you all for supporting me as
I teach the Fundamentals of Mnemonics. They have changed my
life. I hope they change yours.

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