BrainGames
Decision Guide

Number Memory vs. Quick Math

Span vs. processing speed—choose the right math drill

Hold more digits or compute faster—different muscles, different plans.

6 min readDecision guideUpdated Jan 10, 2025

Number Memory

Working memory

Best for students, analysts

Quick Math

Processing speed

Best for traders, engineers

Number Memory = Storage Power

Use it when you need to retain multi-step instructions, remember stats, or hold API responses in your head. Pair the game with loci or chunking techniques to maximize transfer.

Quick Math = Throughput Power

Use it when your bottleneck is finishing calculations faster (financial modeling, coding competitions). It trains symbol recognition + motor output at high speed.

Programming Advice

Alternate focus cycles or pair both in one 15-minute block. Track digits recalled and equations per minute to quantify progress.

Action Steps

List use cases

Do you need to store instructions or solve operations fast?

Pick cadence

Train your priority skill 3x/week and the secondary 1x/week.

Measure transfer

Track real-world metrics (exam scores, bug counts) tied to each skill.

Recommended Games

Number Memory

Train working memory span.

Quick Math

Boost processing speed under time pressure.

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Which should I train before exams?

Start with Number Memory 3 weeks out, then add Quick Math in the final week for speed.

Can I stack them in one session?

Yes—start with Number Memory while fresh, rest 2 minutes, then hit Quick Math.