--- product_id: 1699067 title: "Numbers: A Very Short Introduction" brand: "peter m. higgins" price: "AED 80" currency: AED in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.ae/products/1699067-numbers-a-very-short-introduction store_origin: AE region: United Arab Emirates --- # Numbers: A Very Short Introduction **Brand:** peter m. higgins **Price:** AED 80 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Numbers: A Very Short Introduction by peter m. higgins - **How much does it cost?** AED 80 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ae](https://www.desertcart.ae/products/1699067-numbers-a-very-short-introduction) ## Best For - peter m. higgins enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted peter m. higgins brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Numbers: A Very Short Introduction ## Images ![Numbers: A Very Short Introduction - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/611r3jcSiCL.jpg) ![Numbers: A Very Short Introduction - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91OLoL5gNdL.jpg) ![Numbers: A Very Short Introduction - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31fYP-4yRQL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars As clear an introduction to number theory as is possible *by M***N on Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2011* Oxford University Press has created a superb series of small format books that introduce disparate academic subjects. These attractively designed, sturdily bound books easily slip into a pocket for convenient transport (except for one inexplicable exception: the introduction to Bertrand Russell which for some reason is 50% larger and bound by a glossy cover). I've collected many of the nearly 300 books in the series; storage is easy to do given their small footprint. This new addition to the series is Numbers and it is primarily written for those with nothing more than an elementary knowledge of mathematics but who are fascinated by the world of numbers and are unafraid of taking the plunge. Innumeracy is rampant with many intelligent people convincing themselves that mathematics is too difficult, too arcane to be understood. As one advances up math's ladder of abstractions it does tend to get a bit hair-raising but none of those difficulties are in evidence here.Author Peter Higgins has mastered the technique of using familiar language to describe the fascinating world of number theory. This short introduction concentrates on the behavior of counting numbers or integers, the simplest concepts in all of math. He begins by discussing the behavior of these most fundamental of mathematical entities. From there he leads the reader into the important realm of Prime Numbers (divisible only by 1 and themselves). Primes are reigning kings amongst numbers: the famous Riemann Hypothesis deals with them. Prime number theory inevitably leads to a discussion of cryptography (primes are the malleable agents of devising encryption codes). Higgins also discusses so-called Perfect Numbers (numbers like 6 that are uniquely the sum of its divisors: 1+2+3).The author then enters the more daunting world of complex numbers, the realm of the imaginary square-root of -1. This is probably the most abstract topic tackled by Higgins but his descriptions and language are not too difficult. He is always precise and clear and I found that a little concentration was all that was necessary to follow him on the path. Higgins concludes this fine little book with an introduction to infinity, featuring the peculiar universe of 19th Century number theorist Georg Cantor. It is an appropriate conclusion to this book because infinity is the key attribute of the world of numbers. I read this diminutive volume in a single sitting, found nothing overwhelming and I was always engrossed. If you're interested in learning a little more about numbers, have a few hours of spare time and are both curious and adventurous, you could hardly do better than this splendid introduction.Mike Birman ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Introduction to the Beauty and Mystery of Mathematics *by J***K on Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2012* I just finished reading "Numbers: A Very Short Introduction". I'm pretty much a mathematical hobbyist -- thus not a "real" mathematician. However, my verdict on this book, as with other VSI books via Oxford University Press, is that it is quite pleasing reading, and that it is a fine introduction to elementary numbers, as well as the more mysterious numbers such as complex numbers, transcendental numbers, quaternions, etc.For people who are professional mathematics students, mathematicians, or those who merely like to dabble in mathematics, this book is an excellent (brief) overview of much of the currently discovered mathematical world. Who knows what additional mysterious numbers and concepts might evolve in human mathematical endeavors over the next century or two?From my perspective, this book is highly recommended for those who love to read about the world of numbers. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book *by P***N on Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2013* Two things I really like about this book.1. Physical Size - Just guessing off the top of my head, this book is probably about 5 inches wide, by seven inches tall. Plus, it's only about 120 pages long so it's pretty thin and the binding is flexible.2. Content - This book covers a diverse range of toppings and never stays on one thing long enough to get boring.Those two attributes combined, mean that it's small enough to fit in a pocket comfortably, and interesting enough to take out of that pocket and read. Plus, the book is written at the level of a layman. It's perfect for a middle schooler, or someone who wants a quick entertaining read.I'll probably be buying more books from this series in the future. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.ae/products/1699067-numbers-a-very-short-introduction](https://www.desertcart.ae/products/1699067-numbers-a-very-short-introduction) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Arab Emirates* *Store origin: AE* *Last updated: 2026-04-23*