Discover the fascinating world of number theory with ‘NUMBER THEORY P VSI’ from The Bookish Owl. This Very Short Introduction explores the fundamental counting numbers and the captivating prime numbers that form their foundation. Delve into a subject with over two millennia of history, beloved for its elegant problems that intrigue mathematicians and laypeople alike. Learn about its surprising modern relevance in cryptography, safeguarding everything from credit card transactions to national security. Author Robin Wilson, drawing on the insights of Euclid, Fermat, and Gauss, traces the evolution of key concepts and presents recent breakthroughs like Fermat’s Last Theorem. Perfect for a quick yet comprehensive understanding of this essential mathematical field.