Is zero a number or the absence of a number?

Question

I have looked at several different articles/explanations but they either have contradictory statements or they use esoteric language that I cant wrap my head around. pls help

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

Yes it’s a number. -1 is a number as well. Pi is also a number. I’m not sure how anyone would argue that it isn’t a number. It is just the absence of whatever someone may be counting.