How to Remember and Use Greater Than Less Than Symbols – Mnemonics & Practice Examples
The concept of greater than less than symbols plays a key role in mathematics and is widely used to compare numbers and values, both in daily life and in exams. Learning how to read, remember, and properly use the greater than (>) and less than (<) signs helps students solve problems faster and avoid confusion.
What Is Greater Than Less Than Symbol?
The greater than less than symbol in maths is a pair of mathematical signs used to show whether one number is bigger or smaller than another. The “greater than” symbol (>) points to the right and means the value on the left is larger. The “less than” symbol (<) points to the left and means the value on the left is smaller. These symbols are essential in comparing numbers, understanding inequalities, and solving arithmetic, algebra, and real-life problems.
Greater Than Less Than Symbol Chart
| Symbol | Name | How to Read | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| > | Greater Than | Left number is larger | 5 > 2 |
| < | Less Than | Left number is smaller | 3 < 7 |
| = | Equal To | Both numbers same | 4 = 4 |
| ≥ | Greater Than or Equal To | Left number is larger or equal | x ≥ 2 |
| ≤ | Less Than or Equal To | Left number is smaller or equal | y ≤ 5 |
How to Remember Greater Than and Less Than Symbols
Many students find it tricky to recall which way the symbols face. Here are easy tricks:
- Alligator Method: Imagine the symbol as a hungry alligator’s mouth (the open end always wants to eat the bigger number). Example: 8 > 5 (mouth open to 8).
- Letter L method: The less than symbol (<) looks like a capital "L" turned sideways. Since “less than” also starts with L, < = less than.
- Dot Points: The > symbol has two points on the left and one point on the right. The number facing two points is greater.
Key Usage and Examples
The greater than less than symbol is used to compare numbers and expressions:
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 12 > 9 | 12 is greater than 9 |
| 4 < 10 | 4 is less than 10 |
| 0.15 > 0.1 | 0.15 is greater than 0.1 (decimals) |
| -3 < -1 | -3 is less than -1 (negative numbers) |
| 7 = 7 | 7 equals 7 |
Solved Word Problems: Greater Than and Less Than Symbols
Let’s solve a few problems step-by-step:
-
Rani has 17 apples. Liza has 29 apples. Who has more apples?
1. List: Rani = 17, Liza = 29
2. 29 > 17
3. Answer: Liza has more apples. -
Which sign completes the statement: 2 ______ 8?
1. Compare 2 and 8
2. 2 is less than 8
3. Complete: 2 < 8 -
Rahul’s mother bought 5 roses; Aditya’s mother bought 2 roses. Who bought more?
1. Rahul: 5, Aditya: 2
2. 5 > 2
3. Rahul’s mother bought more roses. -
Nirmal scored 40, Ritu scored 24. Who scored fewer marks?
1. Nirmal: 40, Ritu: 24
2. 24 < 40
3. Ritu scored less than Nirmal.
Practice: Try These Yourself
- Fill in the correct symbol (> or <): 15 ___ 17
- Compare: -2 ___ 1
- Complete: 0.25 ___ 0.1
- Which is greater: 2/3 or 3/4?
- Is 100 < 99 true or false?
Where Are Greater Than Less Than Symbols Used?
The greater than less than symbol is used in many maths topics, including comparing numbers, fractions, decimals and integers. They're also important in word problems, measurement, time calculations, and data interpretation. You will use these in algebra (comparing variables and expressions), exams, and even in computer programming (comparison operators).
Students prepare for competitive exams like NTSE, Olympiads, and JEE by practicing these symbol-based comparisons. Vedantu’s expert maths teachers use stepwise explanations and visual tricks in interactive sessions for better retention.
Frequent Errors and How to Avoid Them
- Mistaking the symbol direction (> vs <)
- Forgetting “alligator mouth” rule
- Comparing negative numbers incorrectly (remember: -1 > -3, even though 1 < 3)
- Misinterpreting decimals (e.g. thinking 0.25 > 0.3 – which is incorrect)
- Copying the sign wrongly when solving algebraic inequalities
Connections to Other Maths Concepts
Understanding greater than less than symbols helps in topics like comparing numbers, working with inequalities, solving algebraic equations, and handling real-life data problems.
You’ll often need to use these symbols when practicing with fractions, decimals, and other math symbols. Mastering them will also improve calculation speed in timed exams.
Speed Trick: Alligator Shortcut
Example trick: When comparing two numbers, quickly sketch the “alligator mouth” towards the bigger number. For example, to compare 23 and 41, open the alligator mouth towards 41: 23 < 41.
For decimals or fractions, convert them to the same type (e.g., decimal or numerator) before comparing for accuracy.
Wrapping It All Up
We explored greater than less than symbols—learning how to read, remember, and use them for comparisons in numbers, decimals, fractions, and real-world problems. Practice regularly with Vedantu’s maths pages and worksheets to master this skill quickly and avoid common mistakes.
