Greater than Symbol
The greater than symbol is placed between two values where the number to the left of the symbol is greater than the number to the right of the symbol. The symbol for greater than is ‘ > ’. For example ‘ 8 > 5 ’ shows us that the number 8 is greater than number 5.
Less than Symbol
The less than symbol is placed between two values where the number to the left of the symbol is less than the number to the right of the symbol. The symbol for less than is ‘ < ’. For example ‘ 6 < 9 ’ indicates that the number 6 is less than the number 9.
Equal to Symbol
If two numbers are equal to each other, we use an equal symbol between them. The ‘ equal to ’ symbol is ‘ = ’. For example if the value of x is 9 and y is 9. So, we can say that x and y are equal. This is represented by, x = y.
How to Remember Greater than or Less than Symbol ?
We can remember greater than or less than symbols with the alligator method:
Assume ‘ < ’ is the mouth of an alligator and the numbers that are on both sides of the symbol are the fish. The alligator always opens his mouth toward the large number of fishes. Let us understand this with an example: if there are 5 and 8 fishes, the mouth will be towards the larger number of fishes, that is, 8. So 5 < 8.
Some Symbols Which are Commonly used in Mathematics
Solved Examples
Example 1: Can you help Annie to write the appropriate symbols(<, > or =).
- 20__22
- 31__13
- \(\frac{1}{2}\)__\(\frac{2}{4}\)
Solution :
A. 20 is less than 22
So, 20 < 22
B. 31 is greater than 13
So, 31 > 13
C. Reduce 24 in simplest form to compare \(\frac{2 \div 2}{4 \div 2}=\frac{1}{2}\), both number has same value.
So, \(\frac{1}{2}=\frac{2}{4}\)
Example 2: In a football match, Robert’s team scored 3 goals and Jacob’s team scored 5. Who won the match?
Solution:
The team which scored more goals won the match.
As 5 is larger than 3, so 5 > 3.
Therefore, Jacob’s team won the match.
Example 3: Amelia has 12 pens and Hazel has 16, find out who among them has a larger number of pens?
Solution:
Amelia has 12 pens
Hazel has 16 pens
As 16 is larger than 12, so 16 > 12.
Therefore, Hazel has a greater number of pens.
Some inequality symbols are greater than ( > ), less than ( < ), greater than or equal to ( ≥ ), less than or equal to ( ≤ ) and not equal to ( ≠ ).
We can remember the symbols with the alligator method.