A set/category theoretic interpretation.

## Encoding 0 and 1 as sets

The standard encoding of the natural numbers as sets gives:

• 0 is the empty set $${}$$.
• 1 is a set that contains 0. In set notation, it's $${0}$$. Unfolding the definition further, it's a set that contains the empty set, $${{}}$$.

## Counting functions with exponents

Target^Source can be interpreted as the set of all functions from Source to Target. This is seen in the powerset notation $$2^X$$, where we can identify subsets of $$X$$ with maps into a 2 element set, where 1 element indicates "yes this is in the subset" and the other indicates no.

### Examples

Let

• Source := $${1, 2}$$
• Target := $${3}$$

There is exactly 1 function between these sets, which sends both 1 and 2 to 3. The exponential formula predicts $$1^2 = 1$$ possible functions, which checks out.

Let

• Source := $${}$$
• Target := $${1}$$

There is exactly 1 function between them, the empty set.

The empty set can be interpreted as a function because functions are subsets of the Cartesian product Source x Target. An empty set meets this criteria.

Let

• Source := $${1}$$
• Target := $${}$$

There are no functions between them because all elements of Source must be mapped to something, but there's nothing to map to. The exponential formula gives $$0^1 = 0$$ total functions.

Finally, let

• Source := $${}$$
• Target := $${}$$

There's nothing in Target to map to, but there's also nothing that needs mapping from since Source is empty too. So the empty set is a valid function between them.

Therefore, the set of all functions between empty sets (aka 0) is a set that contains the empty set. Which is 1, by the standard encoding given above.

A nice confluence.