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BE’ER SHEVA – Israeli theoretical physicist Yehuda Ashkelon has set a new national record for memorizing and reciting the mathematical constant Pi (π), accurately recalling 25,333 decimal places in a single session.
Ashkelon, a PhD student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, not only broke the Israeli record but also set a world record for Pi recitation in Spanish.
His achievement, completed in an impressive 6 hours and 28 minutes, now ranks him ninth worldwide for the highest number of Pi digits memorized in any language.
The recitation took place at Ben-Gurion University on March 10, ahead of Pi Day, which is traditionally celebrated on March 14 (3.14), due to the day coinciding this year with the Purim holiday and Shabbat.
A panel of mathematicians and academics from multiple institutions were present to validate the accuracy of his performance.
The previous Spanish-language record stood at 20,000 decimal places, making Ashkelon’s accomplishment a significant leap forward. The global record remains with India’s Rajveer Meena, who memorized and recited an astounding 70,000 digits on March 21, 2015.
A Passion for Pi
Ashkelon, who spent years living in Spain, said he first began memorizing Pi during the COVID-19 pandemic as a mental challenge.
“During the pandemic, I had more time for intellectual pursuits, and memorizing Pi became an exercise in cognitive discipline,” he told The Times of Israel.
Pi, an irrational number, represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, beginning with 3.14 and continuing infinitely without repeating.
For mathematicians, it has long held significance beyond just numerical calculations, appearing in various scientific disciplines, cosmology, and even mystical traditions such as Kabbalah.
“Beyond its numerical value, Pi seems to weave together different realms of knowledge, including mathematics, cosmology, and even Kabbalah,” Ashkelon said.
The Art of Memorization
Asked about his technique for memorizing such a vast sequence of numbers, Ashkelon rejected the idea of rote memorization.
“The key is not brute-force learning but engaging with the structure,” he explained. “Numbers, like words, carry meaning when arranged correctly. One can group digits into patterns, transform them into a mental landscape, or even weave them into a story.”
He emphasized that visualization, rhythm, and storytelling can make the numbers more memorable. “The mind retains what it finds beautiful, so the challenge is to make the sequence feel alive,” he added.
What’s Next?
Ashkelon has not ruled out pushing his abilities even further. Despite his record-breaking performance, he hinted that he may attempt an even higher number in the future.
“I was left with the strong sense that I could have gone much further,” he said.
For Ashkelon, Pi is more than just a sequence of numbers. “Pi is not merely a series of digits, but perhaps a trace of the deep structure of the cosmos,” he mused.
As he considers his next challenge, his achievement stands as a testament to the power of human memory, discipline, and the timeless fascination with the mysteries of mathematics.