Memorize Greater than (<) VS Less than (<) Signs: Remembering Math inequalities Symbols

Greater than sign ‘>’

The ‘>’ sign is the greater than sign. This symbol indicates that one character is greater than the other.

For example, between the numbers 100 and 104, 104 is the greater one. It will be indicated by using the greater than symbol as:

104 > 100.

Less than sign ‘<‘

It is now quite self-understood that the ‘<’ symbol denotes the less than the element in an operation. This implies that the value facing the closed end of this symbol is less than the other.

For example, if we are given two numbers for comparison, that is, 95 and 76, obviously, 76 is the lesser one in value. It will be denoted by means of the less than symbol as:

76 < 95

Method #1: Basic ‘Determining the Numbers’ Method

The foremost method of distinguishing between the greater than a sign from the less-than sign (> VS <) is by determining the numbers on each end of the given symbol.

How to identify the greater than symbol and less than sign by using the basic identification method?

The easiest way to remember the greater than (>) and less than (<) sign by using the basic identification method is to determine:

1. The numbered value written on both the sides of the symbol given, either < or >, and,
2. Then observe if the bigger number is facing the symbol with two cones (Shaped as the open mouth)
3. If step 2 is correct then, a number in front of the mouth is the bigger one and the symbol is greater than.
4. If step 2 is observed as false then the symbol needs to flip to 180 degrees to make the equation correct.

Therefore, the symbol is checked to see if what value it is facing. If the mouth of the symbol is facing the greater number, it signifies that it is greater than the sign, otherwise the smaller symbol it is.

#2 Alligator Method to Remember Greater VS Smaller than Symbols:-

The second most prevalent way to remember the greater than and less than sign is by using the Alligator method.

Which method, you ask?

Well, I bet you have learned of this method in primary school, and will surely remember it once recalled.

How to remember the greater than and less than sign by using the alligator method?

In this method, you consider the pointing side of the symbols < and > as the tail of the alligator and two-cones side as the mouth of the alligator and a hungry one, that is it! Then, you imagine that the alligator will want to eat the greater number to get his tummy full. Thus, whichever of the given numbers is larger, the alligator will open its mouth towards that number.

For example, if we are given two numbers 5 and 9, the alligator will want to eat number 9, indicating that 9 is greater than 3.

#3 The ‘L’ Rule of Less-than VS Greater-than Symbol:-

Another easy method to remember the greater than and less than sign is by using the ‘L’ Rule.

How to remember the greater than and less than sign by using the ‘L’ Rule?

In order to distinguish the greater than and less than signs from one another, you have to remember one basic thing:

The word ‘less than; starts with ‘L.’ and the less than symbol looks like this: ‘<’

If you look closely, the ‘<’ symbol looks like a crooked ‘L’. Thus, whichever sign looks like an ‘L,’ is less than a symbol as shown in the example below:

#4 Crooked ‘7’ Rule to Remember Greater-than Symbol:-

Another great trick to remember the greater than and less than sign is to use the rule of ‘7.’ 

How to remember the greater than and less than sign by using the Rule of ‘7?’

Just like the ‘L’ Rule, you can differentiate both the symbols by using the rule of ‘7.’ To distinguish the greater than and less than signs from one another, you have to remember that whichever side looks like a 7, is the greater than sign.

In this case, the ‘>’ sign looks like a crooked ‘7’ and so, is the greater than the sign as shown below:

#5 ‘It’s not what you think’ Method to Remember Greater-than Sign:-

If none of the above-mentioned ways work for you or seems difficult to remember greater or less than symbol, then you can easily use this tip to remember the greater than and less than sign.

How to remember the greater than and less than sign by the reverse psychology method?

If you take a deep look at it, we are tempted to draw the inequality symbols like this:

< >

And to read it as ‘greater than and less than,’ tricking our mind into believing that the < sign refers to greater than.

However, the reality is quite opposite! So, the next time you feel like < is the greater than sign, don’t believe your mind.