0 is not a number and multiply isn't x

0 is not a naturally counted number like 1 or 2. It is a human invented concept used to represent nothing, and it only becomes a number once we define rules for how it interacts in arithmetic. Its status as a number depends entirely on the system we create, which is why some ancient cultures did math without it. Because languages are not based on mathematics or on mathematical systems, they can easily introduce misunderstandings about numbers and how to use them. This is why it’s important to explain things like that 0 is not inherently a number and to clarify the role it plays in our current mathematical system.

1x1=? the system answer is 1 and this would be correct for this system however the problem is in using the word "multiply" when trying to teach about multiplication. The symbol x does not literally mean "make more." In mathematics, it is simply a shorthand that tells us to follow a formal rule. The conflict arises because the word “multiply” already carries an everyday meaning that does not match its mathematical function. This creates a tension between language and mathematics, the English word suggests one thing, while the math system defines something else. This isn’t solved by adding more rules, it is an inherent mismatch between language and abstract math. Some might even say it feels almost designed to confuse people, but it also reflects how words and mathematical concepts operate differently.