The phrase "a favourite number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific number that someone particularly likes or prefers.
Example: "My favourite number has always been seven because I find it lucky."
Alternatives: "a preferred number" or "a beloved number".
It pays to have a favourite number.
"I can't think of a reason not to have a favourite number".
We can explain the popularity of 7 as a favourite number by looking at a classic psychology experiment.
"Having a favourite number means that you get a little buzz every time you happen to be sitting in seat 53 on a train, or notice that the time is 9.53," said one submission.
I admit that I have a favourite number, which sometimes changes depending on my mood (today it is Belphegor's prime), but genuine maths books should not focus on emotional preferences for one number over another.
The emphasis given to the use of the Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer as mnemonic devices, as well as the frequent use of numbered lists (seven being a favourite number), is indicative of the rote nature of the instruction during the early medieval period.
Seven polled the highest in my global survey, making it – in my opinion – the world's favourite number, a result I revealed last week on my Guardian blog, and which was written up in news outlets across the world.
He was given his favourite number 7, a number which had been free at the club since Eiður Guðjohnsen left in 2009.
Hamilton's 44th victory – his favourite number lent an extra frisson to his exuberant mood – placed alongside Rosberg's seventh place meant that the German's lead in the world championship had been slashed from 43 points to 24; the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, would have nodded his approval over the severity of the cut.
It is interesting that our favourite number is 7, an odd number, when even numbers are more liked and seen as calmer and better than odd numbers.
Thousands have since visited it, to reflect, pray, or hum a favourite Zahir number.
