If only you could keep better track of big numbers, adding and multiplying your head wouldn’t be such a problem! But fear not… I have a trick that might be just the ticket for your brain!

Use this secret phonetic math code to code and decode sentences into numbers. Developed over a hundred years ago, this is the code that the expert mathematicians use when doing large calculations in their head. This is exactly how Arthur Benjamin squares 5-digit numbers without a calculator!

Phonetic Code

1 = t or d	6 = ch, sh, or j
2 = n	7 = hard c, k, or hard g
3 = m	8 = f or v
4 = r	9 = p or b
5 = l	0 = s or z

Download Student Worksheet & Exercises

“My turtle Pancho will, my love, pick up my new mover Ginger” translates to:

3. 1415 926 5 3 58 979 3 2 384 6264

“My mauve monkey plays in a favorite booklet” becomes:

3 38 327 950 2 8841 971

Practice with phone numbers, zip codes, house numbers, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’re able to switch back and forth, once you practice! Have fun!

What numbers are these?

1. place
2. now
3. healing the disease
4. what is my effort
5. that he was not able to come
6. people will come and go

Form a phrase that represents the following numbers:

7. 6313406
8. 1071