0 times table with arrays and pictures
Use dots, rows, columns and pictures to show what 0 groups really mean.
Quick answer
When you multiply any number by 0, the answer is always 0. This is because 0 groups of anything means nothing at all.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand that multiplying any number by 0 gives 0, and you will be able to show this using arrays, pictures, and real-life examples.Success signs:
- You can draw arrays showing 0 groups of different numbers
- You can explain why 5 × 0 = 0
- You can solve problems using the 0 times table
- You can use pictures to show 0 times any number
Why this matters
The 0 times table might seem simple, but it's actually very important! Understanding that anything multiplied by 0 equals 0 helps you solve bigger maths problems later. It also helps you understand what "nothing" means in maths. Whether you're sharing cookies, counting your toys, or playing a game, knowing the 0 times table helps you think clearly about what happens when you have zero groups of something.How it works
Let's think about what multiplication means. Multiplication is like making equal groups. For example, 3 × 4 means 3 groups of 4 things. But what happens when we have 0 groups? When you have 0 groups, you have nothing at all. No groups, no items, no nothing. So 0 × 5 means 0 groups of 5 things, which is 0 things. We can show this using arrays. An array is a way to arrange things in rows and columns. Let's look at some examples:Examples you can see
Example 1: 0 × 3
Imagine you have 0 rows of 3 apples each.
How many apples are there? Zero apples. So 0 × 3 = 0.
Example 2: 0 × 7
Imagine you have 0 rows of 7 stars.
How many stars are there? Zero stars. So 0 × 7 = 0.
Example 3: 0 × 12
Imagine you have 0 rows of 12 balloons.
How many balloons are there? Zero balloons. So 0 × 12 = 0.
Try it as a mini adventure
Imagine you're a space explorer on a mission to collect alien fruits. You have a special bag that can only hold 0 fruits at a time. You go to 5 different planets to look for fruits.
Planet 1: You find 0 fruits. 0 × 1 = 0 fruits
Planet 2: You find 0 fruits. 0 × 2 = 0 fruits
Planet 3: You find 0 fruits. 0 × 3 = 0 fruits
Planet 4: You find 0 fruits. 0 × 4 = 0 fruits
Planet 5: You find 0 fruits. 0 × 5 = 0 fruits
How many fruits did you collect in total? Zero fruits! Because no matter how many planets you visit, if you collect 0 fruits each time, you always have 0 fruits in total.
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking 0 × 5 = 5
- Why it happens: Some children think that 0 groups means the number itself
- Fix: Remember, 0 groups means no groups at all. If you have 0 bags and each bag has 5 apples, you still have 0 apples.
- Mistake: Thinking 0 × 0 = 0 because it's "zero times zero"
- Why it happens: Confusion between the concept of zero groups and the concept of zero as a number
- Fix: 0 × 0 means 0 groups of 0 items, which is still 0 items
- Mistake: Thinking that 0 × something = something
- Why it happens: Not understanding that "nothing" times anything is still nothing
- Fix: Remember: 0 groups of anything = 0 items
Parent and carer guide
Help your child understand that 0 times anything equals 0 by using everyday examples:
- Use toys: "If you have 0 toy cars and 3 people to share them with, how many cars does each person get?"
- Use food: "If you have 0 cookies and 4 friends, how many cookies does each friend get?"
- Draw arrays together: Draw 0 rows of 4 dots and ask how many dots there are
- Encourage them to explain their thinking: "Why do you think 0 × 6 = 0?"
Remember: It's okay if your child is confused at first. The idea that 0 times anything is 0 can be tricky because it's counterintuitive. The key is practice and repetition with visual examples.
Practice questions
- Draw an array showing 0 × 4
- What is 0 × 9?
- How many items are in 0 groups of 7?
- 0 × 11 = ?
- Draw 0 rows of 3 stars. How many stars are there?
Answers:
- 0 stars (0 rows of 4 = 0)
- 0
- 0
- 0
- 0 stars
0 times table facts
| Multiplication | Answer |
|---|---|
| 0 × 0 | 0 |
| 0 × 1 | 0 |
| 0 × 2 | 0 |
| 0 × 3 | 0 |
| 0 × 4 | 0 |
| 0 × 5 | 0 |
| 0 × 6 | 0 |
| 0 × 7 | 0 |
| 0 × 8 | 0 |
| 0 × 9 | 0 |
| 0 × 10 | 0 |
| 0 × 11 | 0 |
| 0 × 12 | 0 |
FAQ
Why does 0 times anything equal 0?
Because 0 groups means no groups at all. If you have 0 bags and each bag has 5 apples, you still have 0 apples.
Can 0 times 0 equal something other than 0?
No, 0 × 0 = 0. Zero groups of zero items is still zero items.
How can I help my child practice the 0 times table?
Use arrays, draw pictures, use real objects, and explain that 0 groups = 0 items.
Is the 0 times table important?
Yes! It helps you understand the concept of zero, and it's needed for more complex maths later.
What's the difference between 0 × 5 and 5 × 0?
They both equal 0, but 0 × 5 means 0 groups of 5 items, while 5 × 0 means 5 groups of 0 items. Both give the same result, but the idea is different.