Zero means none
Year 1
Understand zero as a concept
See that zero means none, and notice what happens when we add zero or start with zero.
Lesson overview
Number - addition and subtraction
Zero means none. If there are no objects, the number is 0. Adding zero does not change the amount because nothing extra is added. We can also start with zero and then add some objects to make a new number.
Add zero
Start with zero
Worked example
Work out 7 + 0.
- Start with 7 counters.
- Add 0 counters, which means add none.
- Nothing changes because zero adds nothing.
- So 7 + 0 = 7.
Try it
Think about what zero means, then answer each question.
Question 1
What does zero mean?
Question 2
Work out: 6 + 0 = __
Question 3
How many apples are there if the tray is empty?
Question 4
Which number sentence is true?
Question 5
What happens when you add zero?
Common mistakes
These reminders help when thinking about zero.
- Thinking that adding zero makes the number bigger.
- Forgetting that zero means none at all.
- Mixing up zero objects with one object.
Related topics
These connect closely to zero.
- Understand add and minus as actions.
- Add and subtract one-digit and two-digit numbers to 20, including zero.