New
New
Year 1

Addition and subtraction involving zero

I can add and subtract zero and know when the difference is zero.

New
New
Year 1

Addition and subtraction involving zero

I can add and subtract zero and know when the difference is zero.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When zero is added to a number the number, the number does not change.
  2. When zero is subtracted from a number, the number does not change.
  3. Subtracting a number from itself gives a difference of zero.

Keywords

  • Zero - Zero is the number that represents no amount or objects. When we add zero to a number, the result is just the number, unchanged.

  • Add - To find the total, or sum, by combining two or more parts (addends), or to increase an amount by adding another.

  • Subtract - To partition one part from another (the subtrahend from the difference), or to decrease an amount by taking an amount away.

  • Same - The equal sign is used to show that the values on either side of it are the same.

Common misconception

Children may think that adding or subtracting zero gives zero. For example, 6 + 0 = 0 or 4 - 0 = 0

Use manipulatives to help children see that adding or subtracting zero will not change the starting amount. Model this alongside the written equation so that they can see what each part is representing.

As with all Year 1 lessons, ensure this concept is explored practically in meaningful contexts that connect to children's everyday experiences of adding and subtracting zero. For example, when no more children join or leave the table at lunchtime.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
How many children are on the bus?
An image in a quiz
5
6
Correct answer: 7
8
Q2.
How many children are on the bus?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 0, zero
Q3.
Which expression matches the representation of yellow and red counters?
An image in a quiz
7 + 2
6 + 2
Correct answer: 5 + 2
Q4.
Which representation matches the expression 6 + 2 ?
A
Correct answer: B
Q5.
What is the missing part?
An image in a quiz
6
2
1
Correct answer: 4
Q6.
Sam had 9 pounds in her purse. She spends 7 pound on a new toy. How much money does she have left?
An image in a quiz
7 pounds
Correct answer: 2 pounds
5 pounds
0 pounds

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the missing number from this equation? 4 + = 4
Correct answer: 0
1
4
3
Q2.
What is the missing number from this equation? - 0 = 6
0
4
1
Correct answer: 6
Q3.
Which of these equations has a difference of 0?
{{ }}= 9 − 8
Correct answer: {{ }} = 7 − 7
{{ }} = 6 − 0
Q4.
Match the equations to their solutions?
Correct Answer:10 - 10 = ,0

0

Correct Answer:10 - 0 = ,10

10

Correct Answer:0 + 10 = ,10

10

Correct Answer:0 + 0 = ,0

0

Q5.
The teacher had a sheet of 8 stickers. By end of the day, they had given out 8 stickers. How many stickers does the teacher have left?
10
8
2
Correct answer: 0
Q6.
Sam went to the shop and bought a lollipop that costs 10 pence. She has 0 pence left. How much money did she take to the shop?
1 pence
0 pence
Correct answer: 10 pence
100 pence