Fun little memory test

[_echo]

An interesting fact about the human mind is we can only remember strings of things in groups of either 5, 7, or 9 items. We retain larger bits of information by the method of grouping.

Take Telephone numbers as an example. They consist of 10 numbers (Including area code, in the US), broken into 3 groups. IE: 619-447-6835 (Fake)

So, on to the test, to see how good your memory is. You will need someone's help for this.

1. Get a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil

2. Have your help write down 5 random digits. (0 through 9) Be sure they space them so they are not pre-grouped.

3. Have them show you the digits for 10 seconds. Do your best to memorize each individual number.

4. After the 10 seconds are up, recite the numbers in the order they were written.

5. Repeat the process 2 more times, but the next time, have them write 7 digits, then 9 digits.

So, lets hear how well you did. The average is 7, and on rare occasions, some people can remember 11 digits. Personally I am average at 7.

[Zerengil]

Heh, we usualy do this with letters for me (A-I) as I've allways been good at remembering random numbers.

(Someone guess my best try at this with numbers, and my average result. )

With letters I usually get 7 or 9.

Edited November 20, 2010 by Zerengil

[vometia]

Based on trying to memorise formids, seems I can typically manage five; six I can do unreliably, often resulting in pairs of digits being reversed or worse, and seven or more is a real struggle. But I never claimed to have a good memory! At least I don't think I did.

[Nihternnes]

they did this when i took my IQ test i can do 9 forwards and 11 backwards (digits with independent numbers each time) idk why i can do more backwards