Math Story : Identity Property Of Subtraction
Can Zero Be A Hero?
“Hey, Cirho! Look at my new colourful balls. Don’t they look amazing?” says Squarho. Cirho likes the balls too.
Suddenly, Cirho and Squarho look furious. They are fighting. But why? Let us find out.
“Stop it! Why are you guys fighting?” asks Triho. “I was showing my new 10 balls to Cirho. He stole one from it and is not even giving it back. I will not leave him,” says furious Squarho.
“I did not take any balls. He is simply blaming me,” says frustrated Cirho. Ugh! Triho is tired. He decides to resolve this conflict. “Squarho, why don’t you count your balls and find out?” he suggests.
Following his instructions, Squarho starts counting. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10,” he counts. “Squarho! You have all the 10 balls right. Then why were you fighting?” questions Triho. Unable to believe it, Squarho blames Cirho again for secretly keeping the ball back from behind.
“Enough!” says Cirho. “If I had taken one ball, then you would have 10 – 1= 9 balls. But I took nothing. So, 10-0 = 10. That’s why you have all the 10 balls. Think before you blame others,” he says.
It looks like Triho is recalling something. “Oh yes! When we add 0 to any number, the result is the same number. Similarly, when we subtract 0 from any number, the result is the same number. Because that is like taking away nothing,” he says.
“0 always saves the identity of any number. Wow! Zero is a hero too!” says Triho. “Zero is a hero! Zero is a hero!” they say together.
“Always, analyse a situation and think before you blame others,” suggests Triho to Squarho.
Squarho realizes his mistake and apologises. Cirho also feels bad for having been rude to Squarho.
Finally, they sing and dance together.
“Zero is a hero!
Adding and subtracting with it is so much fun.
Zero is a hero!
It keeps the numbers the same.
Zero is a hero! He is our special friend!”
We Learnt That…
- Whenever we subtract zero from any number, the result is the number itself.
- Whenever we add zero to any number, the result is the number itself.
- 0 does not change the identity of a number.
- We should analyse a situation, think before and then talk.
Let’s Discuss
- Why were Squarho and Cirho furious?
- How did we find out the total balls count?
- How did Cirho stop Squarho from blaming him?
- Do you also think that “Zero is a hero”?
Experience the immersive video version of this captivating story by clicking the link below, and let the excitement come to life :
Use this guide by Fun2Do Labs to teach about zero to kids :
