• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.43-57
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• 2019

The meaning of zero as a number signifying nothing is introduced as a number 1 less than 1 in the first grade mathematics textbook. In addition, the first appearance of the properties of zero are described by exemplary situations of adding zero, subtracting zero, and multiplying by zero in the first and second grade mathematics textbooks. The meaning and the properties of 0, however, are not explicitly dealt with any longer in the follow-up learning. In this study, we discuss the way of introducing zero and the applications of the properties of zero for solving number sentences so that they could help elementary school students understand the meaning and the properties of zero. Based on these results, we suggest some educational implications on teaching and learning mathematics of zero.