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Step-by-step practice: Maths · Level 1Chapter 1 · Counting to 10
Step-by-step Maths Level 1 · Counting to 10 · Lesson 1.3

Step-by-step Maths Level 1: Zero means none

Part of the Step-by-step Maths Level 1 counting to 10 chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

1.3

Zero means none

Level 1
Know that zero means none, Write 0 as a numeral

Zero means there are none. We write it as 0.

If the box is empty, there are zero things in it.

Zero is the number before one on the number line.

An empty box: zero things.

Key ideas

  • Zero means there are none.
  • We write zero as 0.
  • Zero comes before one.
  • An empty box has 0 things.
Worked example 1.3.1
How many stars are in the empty box?

Method. Look inside the box. Is there anything to count?

  1. Look inside the box. There is nothing in it.
    nothing to count
  2. Say how many there are. When there is nothing, the answer is zero.
    zero = 0
  3. Write the answer.
    0

Check. Zero means none. Write 0 for an empty box.

Watch out. Write the numeral 0. Do not leave the answer blank.

Worked example 1.3.2
What number comes just before 1?

Method. Start at 1 on the number line and count back one.

  1. Start at 1. We count back one from 1.
    1
  2. Count back one. The number before 1 is 0.
    1 - 1 = 0
  3. Write the answer.
    0

Check. Count on one from 0: 0, 1. It works.

Watch out. Zero comes first on the number line.

Worked example 1.3.3
Ben has no pencils. How many pencils does Ben have?

Method. Zero means none. Ben has no pencils.

  1. Read the story. Ben has no pencils.
    no pencils
  2. Say how many he has. No pencils means zero pencils.
    zero pencils
  3. Write the answer.
    0

Check. Zero is the answer when there is nothing.

Watch out. Do not write 1 or leave it blank.

Watch out

Watch out. Zero is a number, so it is not nothing on paper. Write 0 when there are none.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “How many socks are in an empty drawer?” Let your child answer 0 and then check by looking.

Exercise 1C  Zero means none

Non-calculator
1
FWhat number comes just before 1?
2
FHow many stars are in the empty box?
3
FHow many balls are in the empty box?
4
FWhat number comes just before 1?
5
FHow many apples are on the empty plate?
6
FHow many stars are on the empty plate?
7
FWhat number comes just before 1?
8
FMia has no cubes in her bag. How many cubes does she have?
9
FMia has no apples in her bag. How many apples does she have?
10
FWhat number comes just before 1?
11
FHow many balls are in the empty box?
12
FHow many cubes are in the empty box?
13
FWhat number comes just before 1?
14
FHow many stars are on the empty plate?
15
FHow many balls are on the empty plate?
16
FWhat number comes just before 1?

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