Zip. Zilch. Nada.

Zero isn’t nothing.

Well, it’s nothing, but it’s far from insignificant in the world of mathematics, science, and technology. And, it hasn’t always been around.

For thousands of years, mathematicians in diverse civilizations developed ways of understanding numbers. From the basic counting systems that have been a part of human society since its inception, to more complex operations like quadratic equations developed in different cultures, the mathematical world was rich and varied.

But still: no zero.

The idea of zero as a number—that is, not just a concept but a mathematical entity you could add to, subtract from, or even divide by—was an intellectual leap that didn't happen overnight. It evolved from its roots as an abstract idea pondered by ancient philosophers to its practical application as a placeholder in early number systems.

I want to bring you through a little bit of this journey today.

The Many Faces of Zero

Zero is a paradox: it represents nothing but kind of means everything.…