<p>I have noticed, by chance, but I would very easily remember a phone number, if it has some digits symmetry, e.g. "540 045" (and mind you, I have very hard time memorizing numbers in general). At the same time, I have noticed that commercial companies would you use special phone numbers, using digits repetition, e.g. "67 67 67", in order to make them easier to memorize - but I can't say I would memorize a phone number in that format easier than in the "symmetrical format". </p>

<p>(I acknowledge though, that the "repetition format" is still better than any other format with no particular pattern.)</p>

<p>Therefore, my question is: is it universally valid among people that "symmetrical formats" are the easiest to memorize and if so, what could be the explanation?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-13T16:02:29.357Z
Yes, it's pretty universally valid... ease of remembering is roughly [inveserly] dependent on the [Kolmogorov_complexity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolmogorov_complexity)  I'll try to dig up some research (that I read before)..
got trolled too much this week
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-16T21:03:13.680Z
I believe  the way you read is really important, it is not all about mathematical symmetry, it also about how it is pronounced
Majid khalili
<cognitive-psychology><memory><numerical-cognition>
Memorising phone numbers with symmetrical digit arrangement (e.g. 321 123)
drabsv
# Memorising phone numbers with symmetrical digit arrangement (e.g. 321 123)

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-01-13)

I have noticed, by chance, but I would very easily remember a phone number, if it has some digits symmetry, e.g. "540 045" (and mind you, I have very hard time memorizing numbers in general). At the same time, I have noticed that commercial companies would you use special phone numbers, using digits repetition, e.g. "67 67 67", in order to make them easier to memorize - but I can't say I would memorize a phone number in that format easier than in the "symmetrical format".

(I acknowledge though, that the "repetition format" is still better than any other format with no particular pattern.)

Therefore, my question is: is it universally valid among people that "symmetrical formats" are the easiest to memorize and if so, what could be the explanation?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, memory, numerical-cognition

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Yes, it's pretty universally valid... ease of remembering is roughly [inveserly] dependent on the [Kolmogorov_complexity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolmogorov_complexity)  I'll try to dig up some research (that I read before)..  
> **username_2**: I believe  the way you read is really important, it is not all about mathematical symmetry, it also about how it is pronounced  

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