1
The Matrix Memorisation of Pi
A five digit number is randomly selected from the first 10,000 digits of Pi and called out. The record
breaker states the five digits before and after, and then the next block is called out. This is repeated 50
times. The record is for the time taken to recall the event, with no errors.
Rules
Description: Layout of the numbers for the record
1. The number consists of the first 10,000 decimals of Pi after the decimal point.
EXAMPLE
14159 26535 89793 23846 etc.
2. The digits are printed in blocks of five digits, ten blocks in a line.
EXAMPLE
14159 26535 89793 23846 26433 83279 50288 41971 69399 37510
58209 74944...
3. The record is for the time taken to recall the event. It is worth bearing in mind that the number
of ‘collisions’ (the same set of five digits occurring two or more times) rises very rapidly
past 10,000. So that is the reason for keeping the number of digits at 10,000.
On the day of the record
4. Each judge is given sheets with the digits of Pi printed clearly on them.
5. A judge will call out a RANDOMLY chosen block of five digits.
EXAMPLE
50288
The five digit blocks must be randomly taken from any page. The number must not follow on
each other from each of the thousand groups. It must be chosen randomly.
EXAMPLE
Group one – the 4000
th
digit area, Group two – 7000
th
area, Group three – 2000
th
area etc.
6. The record breaker then recalls the block of five digits before and the block after.
EXAMPLE
83279 and 41971
It does not matter which block is recalled first HOWEVER the order must be clear. The default is
that the first block is recalled first.
EXAMPLE
Saying "83279 and 41971" is correct
