what is the easiest way to remember greater than and less than signs
Inequalities are math problems that don't resolve with a clear "equals" answer—instead, they compare two things, demonstrating the human relationship between them rather than showing that i is equal to another. Hence the name; "inequality" means that two things are not equal. We're all familiar with the equal sign, "=" at this bespeak in math. Simply ">" and "<" are not as common, let lonely "≥" and "≤". Hither's a chart to embrace all the inequality symbols: Symbol Meaning < Less than—the number on the left is less than the number on the right; 2 < 3 > Greater than—the number on the left is greater than the number on the correct; 3 > 2 ≤ Less than or equal to—the number on the left is less than or equal to the number on the correct; 2 or 3 ≤ 3 ≥ Greater than or equal to—the number on the left is greater than or equal to the number on the correct; 2 or 3 ≥ 2 ≠ Does not equal—the number on the left does not equal the number on the right; ii ≠ 3 Though the greater than and less than signs have articulate meanings, they tin can be kind of hard to remember. All of them look similar, with the exception of the "does not equal" sign. Then how can y'all remember them? 1 of the all-time ways to memorize the greater than and less than signs is to imagine them as trivial alligators (or crocodiles), with the numbers on either side representing a number of fish. The alligator always wants to eat the larger number of fish, and so whatever number the rima oris is open toward is the larger number. The alligator'south mouth is open toward the 4, then even if nosotros weren't sure that 4 is a bigger number than 3, the > sign would tell us. All inequality signs give us the relationship between the first number and the second, beginning with the first number, so 4 > iii translates to "iv is greater than 3." This also works the other style around. If you meet v < viii, imagine the < sign as a little alligator mouth about to chomp down on some fish. The mouth is pointed at the 8, which ways that eight is more 5. The sign always tells us the human relationship betwixt the first number and the second, so v < 8 can be translated to "5 is less than eight." When you're working with inequalities, yous can even draw little optics on the symbols to aid you lot remember which means which. These tin exist tricky to recall, and then don't exist afraid to get a little artistic until you really accept them memorized! This method is pretty simple—"less than" starts with a alphabetic character L, so the symbol that looks most like an 50 is the i that ways "less than." < looks more like an L than >, so < ways "less than." Considering > doesn't look like an 50, it tin can't be "less than." Once you've mastered the Alligator or Fifty method, the other symbols are easy! "Greater than or equal to" and "less than or equal to" are just the applicable symbol with one-half an equal sign under it. For example, iv or 3 ≥ one shows the states a greater sign over half an equal sign, meaning that iv or 3 are greater than or equal to 1. It works the other way, too. ane ≤ 2 or 3 shows united states of america a less than sign over half of an equal sign, so nosotros know it means that 1 is less than or equal to 2 or three. The "does not equal" sign is even easier! Information technology's just an equal sign crossed out. If you see an equal sign crossed out, information technology means that the equal sign doesn't utilise—thus, 2 ≠ 3 means that ii does not equal 3. Keep these things in mind and you'll look this happy near working with inequalities. Inequalities are catchy—we're used to having a clear and concrete answer for math problems, but inequalities don't e'er give the states that. When you're working with inequalities, keep these things in mind to assistance ease you through the process. Keep in mind as y'all're working on inequalities that they're typically asking yous to solve for a human relationship or to identify which symbol is appropriate rather than asking you to solve for a single number. You don't need to end up with two numbers on either side of an equal sign to be right—the answer just needs to be true. When you're working with inequalities with variables, it'due south of import to think that, in full general, you'll be trying to isolate the variable to one side or the other. Focus on condensing numbers and canceling things out when y'all can, e'er with the goal of getting the variable lone on either side of the equation. Don't forget that performing certain deportment will flip the sign. When y'all multiply or divide past a negative number, you need to flip the "greater than" or "less than" sign along with it. Unless you know for sure that a variable volition always be positive or always exist negative, don't multiply or carve up an inequality past a variable. Inequalities aren't the but catchy function of math—rational numbers can also be disruptive! This guide will help walk you through what a rational number is and what they await similar. Ever wondered how many zeroes are in big numbers? How many zeroes are there in a billion? How nigh a trillion? Need to become some practice in? These 5th-grade math games can assistance you hone your skills! 
What do those little sideways carat symbols hateful? They're inequalities! Inequalities tin exist difficult to become a handle on, particularly because the greater than and less than signs await so similar. But these symbols are very useful, because they help us show the relationship between numbers or equations in a style that doesn't just say that they're equal.
Not knowing what the signs mean may make your math homework experience something like this. What Are Greater Than and Less Than Signs For?
At present nosotros'll finally get to talk about why all these photos are of crocodiles. How to Call back Greater Than and Less Than Signs
Alligator Method
Rotate your less than sign a picayune bit and you lot go an 50 for "less than!" L Method
Equal Sign Method
Central Tips For Working With Inequalities
Inequalities are All About Relationships
Isolate Your Variables
Negative Numbers Change the Greater Than or Less Than Sign
Don't Multiply or Split up by a Variable—Most of the Time
What's Next?
Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor'southward in English with a artistic writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in Saturday prep, to help them prepare for their college pedagogy.
Source: https://blog.prepscholar.com/greater-than-sign-less-than-sign
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