Today, we’re going to learn about an important symbol in mathematics: the greater than sign (>).
What is the Greater Than Sign?
The greater than sign is a symbol that we use to compare two quantities or numbers. It looks like this: >. When we say that one number is “greater than” another, we mean that it is larger or has a higher value.
Examples of the Greater Than Sign
- 5 > 3 – This reads as “five is greater than three.” It means that five is larger than three.
- 10 > -2 – This means “ten is greater than negative two.” Ten is higher on the number line than negative two.
- 7.5 > 7.49 – Here, “seven point five is greater than seven point four nine.” Even though the numbers are close, 7.5 is still larger.
How to Use the Greater Than Sign
When we compare two numbers, we put the greater than sign between them with the open end pointing towards the larger number, like a wide-open mouth ready to eat the bigger number! Remember, the small end always points to the smaller number.
Practice Questions
Let’s try to use the greater than sign in these statements:
- Which is more, 15 or 12?
- Do you have more than 20 marbles if you have 22?
- Is the number of days in a week greater than the number of days in a weekend?
Can you write these statements using the greater than sign?
Common Questions from Learners
Question 1: What if the numbers are the same?
If the numbers are the same, then neither is greater than the other, and we use a different sign: the equals sign (=). For example, 4 = 4, which reads as “four equals four.”
Question 2: How do I remember which way the sign goes?
A fun way to remember is to think of the greater than sign as a little alligator’s mouth that always wants to eat the bigger number! So, the open mouth (>) faces the larger number.
Question 3: Can we use the greater than sign for things other than numbers?
Yes, we can use it to compare quantities too. For example, if Tom has 5 apples and Jerry has 3, we can say Tom has > (more than) Jerry.
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