0

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A zero or root of a function f defined on a set S is an element x in S such that f(x) = 0. If the function is mapping from real numbers to real numbers, its zeros are essentially where its graph hits the x-axis. Many things simply don't have a root, like certain polynomial equations. One of the most important unsolved problems in mathematics concerns the location of the zeros of the Riemann zeta function.

Compare with the concept of a pole.


To zero (or zeroise or zeroize) a set of data means to set every bit in the data to zero (or off). Usually said of small pieces of data, such as bits or words (especially in the construction "zero out").

Zero means to erase; to discard all data from. This is often said of disks and directory, where "zeroing" need not involve actually writing zeroes throughout the area being zeroed. One may speak of something being "logically zeroed" rather than being "physically zeroed".


Zilch is another term for zero.


Many human cultures have created concepts that express zero-ness, such as: