You can already say which number is greater. Now you can write it.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
Three symbols
Greater than is >. Less than is <. Equal to is =.
Always read the whole sentence. "31 is greater than 28."
If the two numbers are the same, use =. Neither one is greater.
The symbol points at the smaller one
The wide end faces the bigger number and the point faces the smaller. That is the only thing you have to remember.
It reads both ways
8 > 5 and 5 < 8 say exactly the same thing. Which you write depends on which number you started with.
Step 2: Try It Yourself
Pick a symbol, then read the sentence it makes.
Left
Right
26 is less than 32.
Step 3: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Watch Leo Write It
Leo compares 26 and 32.
- Step 1
He counts the rods: 2 tens and 3 tens.
Step 4: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
Reading a Sentence
Problem 1 of 1
Which symbol makes this true: 35 ? 35
Choose the Symbol
1 of 2
Which symbol makes this true: 29 ? 31
2 of 2
Which symbol makes this true: 38 ? 34
Step 5: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 2
What does < mean?
Question 2 of 2
Which symbol makes this true: 24 ? 27
What You Learned
- > means is greater than.
- < means is less than.
- = means is equal to.
- Read the whole sentence out loud to check it.