🪐 Galaxy 1 🔢 Math Station 🎯 Mission 05
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Mission 05 — Understanding Zero

Galaxy 1 · Math Station · Zero Planet

I can explain what 0 means, find 0 on the number line, and solve zero facts.

Mission progress 0/30 correct
🚀 Mission status Not started yet. Tap “Start Mission” to begin.
First Grade Math: This mission helps learners understand that 0 means none. They find 0 on the number line and practice zero facts like 6 + 0, 9 - 0, and 4 - 4.
Skill focus Zero · Equations
Mission type Practice · Quick Quiz
Best for First Grade Math

Mission Briefing — Understanding zero

In this mission, you think about the number zero. Zero looks like this: 0. Zero means there is nothing there.

Zero means none

  • If you have 3 apples and you eat all 3, you have 0 apples left.
  • If there are no pencils on the desk, we can say there are zero pencils.
  • Zero is another way to say none or nothing.

Zero on the number line

  • A number line is a line with numbers in order.
  • Zero comes at the start: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…
  • When you count on, you move right from zero.
  • When you count back, you can land on zero when nothing is left.

Zero in bigger numbers

  • Zero can sit in the middle or at the end of a number, like 10 or 100.
  • In 10, the 1 shows one group of ten, and the 0 shows there are no ones.
  • Zero helps us write place value numbers (like 10, 20, 30…).

Remember: zero is a real number. It means there is nothing there, and it sits at the start of the number line.

Picture strip: Zero objects and zero on a number line.

Zero blocks

Some blocks

Training Run — Zero with objects and on the number line

Tap to play and pause.

Make a few small groups on your table: 3 objects, 2 objects, 1 object, and 0 objects (leave one space empty). Point and say: “3 objects… 2 objects… 1 object… 0 objects.” On paper, draw a number line from 0 to 10 and circle 0. Then use the tracing pad to write 0 and one word like zero neatly.

Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: After you trace zero, write a short sentence on paper like "I have 0 apples." and draw an empty bowl to match.

Practice 1 — Drag & Drop: Build zero equations

Drag the numbers and symbols into the boxes to make a true number sentence with zero.

Build an equation that shows adding zero.

5+0=5

Build an equation that starts with 0.

0+7=7

Build an equation that shows subtracting zero.

9-0=9

Build an equation that shows “all gone.”

4-4=0

Build another “all gone” equation.

6-6=0

Build an equation that uses 10 with zero.

0+10=10

Build an equation that shows “nothing added.”

8+0=8

Build a sentence that shows zero equals zero.

0=0

Practice 2 — Number line: Zero on the line

Tap the correct tick on each number line. Think about what zero means.

Which number shows “no counters”?

Tap the number for “none.”

Start at 3 and jump back 3. Where do you land?

Tap the landing number.

Which number is the smallest on this number line?

Tap the smallest number.

Start at 5 and jump back 5. What is the answer?

Tap the answer.

Where is zero on this number line?

Tap the tick mark for 0.

Which number is greater: 0 or 4?

Tap the greater number.

Which number comes just after 0?

Tap the number right after 0.

Start at 2 and jump back 2. Where do you land?

Tap the answer.

Practice 3 — Sliders: Zero in equations

Move each slider to the correct answer.

Move the slider to the answer to 4 - 4.

Current: 0

Move the slider to the answer to 7 - 0.

Current: 0

Move the slider to the answer to 0 + 9.

Current: 0

Move the slider to the answer to 10 - 10.

Current: 0

Move the slider to the answer to 6 + 0.

Current: 0

Move the slider to the answer to 9 - 9.

Current: 0

Move the slider to the answer to 12 - 0.

Current: 0

Quick Check

What does the number 0 mean?

6 + 0 = ?

9 - 0 = ?

4 - 4 = ?

0 + 7 = ?

Where is 0 on a number line from 0 to 10?

Which equation shows “nothing is left”?