A memory optimization method includes identifying, within a circuit design, a memory having an arithmetic operator at an output side and/or an input side of the memory. The memory may include a read-only memory (ROM). In some examples, an input of the arithmetic operator includes a constant value. In some embodiments, the memory optimization method further includes absorbing a function of the arithmetic operator into the memory. By way of example, the absorbing the function includes modifying contents of the memory based on the function of the arithmetic operator to provide an updated memory and removing the arithmetic operator from the circuit design.