Greater Than and Less Than Symbols

Mathematics is a universal language and has personalized sets of laws, formulas, methods, and symbols for tackling problems. The symbols introduced in math are accepted universally and aids to solve problems by consuming less space and time. Keeping the importance of symbolism in mind, mathematicians have assigned specific symbols for comparing two things. These symbols are the greater than symbol, the smaller than symbol, and the equal to symbol. From nursery till graduation, we encounter these symbols in all the mathematical topics we study. When one number is more than another, the greater than sign is used; when one number is less than another, the less-than symbol is used, and when two numbers are the same, the equal to sign is used. Let us learn about all the symbols in depth.

Greater Than Sign

Greater than symbol represents inequality between items. In mathematics, this symbol is positioned between two numbers in which one is greater, and the other is smaller. The greater than symbol is the right angular bracket, and its mouth points to the greater value. This angular bracket is in the form of identical lines forming an acute angle to the right, thus known as a right angular bracket.

For instance, 32 > 12. In this inequity, 32 is greater than 12.

Less Than Sign

Likewise, the 'smaller than' symbol also represents inequity between two or more objects. In mathematics, this symbol is positioned between two numbers in which one is smaller than the other. The 'smaller than' symbol is the left angular bracket; this angular bracket is in the form of identical lines forming an acute angle to the left, thus known as a left angular bracket. The less than symbol points to the smaller value.

For instance, 3 < 13. In this inequality, 3 is smaller than 13.

Equal To Sign

The symbol which opposes both greater than and less than symbols is known as the equal to sign. This symbol shows that the two numbers between which it is placed are identical to the same.

For instance, 43 = 43.

Now that we have learned about the symbols used for comparison, let us learn how to identify these symbols. The equal to sign is easy to identify; however, students often get confused in greater than and smaller than symbols. The two methods, namely the Alligator method and L method, are discussed below:

Alligator Method

We know that alligators (or crocodiles) love to consume large quantities of fish. As a result, the alligator's mouth constantly opens toward the greatest number. So, the number which has the wide or open side of the angular bracket is greater.

L Method

The L method is to identify the smaller numbers; since the letter L looks like a small angular bracket, the number close to the pointer part is smaller.

Mathematical issues, as we all know, do not always end in equality. It occasionally has inequalities such as a larger than or less than indication. Solving inequalities is comparable to solving equations in mathematics. When dealing with inequality issues, keep the direction of the inequality in mind at all times.