There's something about a language of symbols and equations that most people find intimidating. Mathematician Colin Pask gently introduces you to the main ideas of mathematics and painlessly demonstrates how they are expressed in terms of symbols. He teaches the reader not onlywhy symbols are used, and how and why equations are constructed, but also exactly what is achieved by doing that. Through simple yet intriguing examples in number theory, Pask generates confidence in thinking mathematically and reveals the pleasure of seeing how mathematical patterns evolve and are explored.