Number Theory and Its History (Dover Books on Mathematics) [Paperback]

Oystein Ore (Author), Mathematics (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Books on Mathematics | Publication Date: April 1, 1988

Unusually clear, accessible introduction covers counting, properties of numbers, prime numbers, Aliquot parts, Diophantine problems, congruences, much more. Bibliography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (April 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486656209
• ISBN-13: 978-0486656205
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for practically anyone, April 1, 2004

By 

David S. Mazel "www.bytesofscience.com" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Number Theory and Its History (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

Ore's book is an excellent introduction to the fascinating topic of number theory. He takes his time explaining the history of numbers and goes into Euclid's algorithm so smoothly you hardly realize what you've learned. He discusses prime numbers and I was particularly delighted to see diophantine equations explained with lots of examples and an easy to follow method. The book is filled with interesting concepts, lots of examples, and good problems to do on your own.

At the end, for example, Ore talks of how number theory relates to geometry and I wish there were more of that in it.

I took this book on a very long trip, worked through many of the problems and simply found it a wonderful companion. If you get it, enjoy. One caution: if you already know some number theory you may find this book too simplistic. Still, it's worth having.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hamony?, December 26, 2000

By 

D. Taylor (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Number Theory and Its History (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

A noted conjecture of the author's on the harmonic mean of the divisors is tucked unobtrusively in this pleasant reader: "Every harmonic number is even." See problem B2 in Richard K. Guy's Unsolved Problem's in Number Theory.

A good book (but not a great book). Very basic. For the more advanced historical approach, Andre Weil's Number Theory: An approach through history" is to be recommended. Or even Guy's book mentioned above.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent theory interspersed with history, July 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Number Theory and Its History (Dover Books on Mathematics) (Paperback)

This book goes into detail on number theory, but it is often hard to follow with the history mingled with the theory. More advanced material is referenced without proofs. Two readers will especially like this book: those who want an introduction to number theory and those who want a good introduction to the history of number theory.