I have always thought of it as (using people for easier understanding): dividing something to nobody means nothing was divided. Eg. I have to give away 8 apples

I have always thought of it as (using people for easier understanding): dividing something to nobody means nothing was divided. Eg. I have to give away 8 apples to 0 people, so no action was taken due to there being no recipients, the whole action was a NOP.