# How should I remember the rules of logic?

I'm taking a first course in discreet mathematics and there are a lot of new rules/laws to remember.

My question is what is the best way to remember the rules of logic? How would you remember the:

Absorption Laws

The Domination Laws

Identity Laws

Are there any well known mnemonics, like SOHCAHTOA in trigonometry?

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Forget about mnemonics. From this point forward, you should be aiming for understanding, not memorization. If you understand what these laws are saying, you'll be able to remember them. –  Arturo Magidin Jan 16 '11 at 4:09
I do agree with Arturo's comment. But let me mention that for me Venn diagrams help a lot: see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venn_diagram You can think of the expression $p$ as selecting the collection $S(p)$ of things satisfying $p$. Then you have for instance $S(p \vee q) = S(p) \cup S(q)$ and $S(p \wedge q) = S(p) \cap S(q)$. The three laws you're mentioning are completely obvious once you draw the appropriate diagrams. –  t.b. Jan 16 '11 at 5:06
@Theo: Which, in a sense, is about understanding what the laws are saying. (-: –  Arturo Magidin Jan 16 '11 at 6:52
Use them and you won't be able for forget them. –  Raphael Jan 16 '11 at 10:34
@lampShade: Does your university offer courses in blabbermouth mathematics too? (-: ("Discrete": made up of separate parts; "Discreet": capable of preserving prudent silence). –  Arturo Magidin Jan 17 '11 at 23:40