Less than means it is the lowest value compared to another value. The less than symbol describes a relationship between two values where one value is less than the other. For example, if 1 < 3 is given, 1 means less than 3. In this article, let’s learn how to compare numbers using the less sign.
A less sign is a mathematical symbol that represents inequality between two values. A widely adopted form of two equal-length strokes joining at an acute angle to the left, <, is found in documents from the 1560s.
Less than Sign
In mathematical writing, a less-than sign is usually placed between two values being compared and indicates that the left side value is less than the right side value. Examples of common use are 1 < 2 and −5 < 0.
Less than the ‘<‘ sign. It is an inequality sign because it does not establish equality between two numbers or expressions. It only says that one value is smaller than the other value. Here is a small example, if x < 5 is given, the value of x is less than 5. See the mark less than the mark given below.
<
A superscript is used to show that one value is less than another. Let’s try using it as an example. “12 is less than 14” is true. Then, we can write 12 < 14 using the less sign. The wide-open side of a symbol with two points always faces the larger number, while the pointed end faces the smaller number.
less than sign symbol
To use the less than symbol, we draw the wide-open side of the symbol toward the larger number and the pointed end toward the smaller number. Let us compare two digit numbers 32 and 14. When comparing two-digit numbers, we first compare the tens place digits. If the digit is the same, we match the digits in the same position. Here, we can see that one is less than 3. So, 14 is less than 32. Mathematically, 14 < 32 can be written using the less-than sign. Below are more examples showing the comparison between numbers using the less-than sign.
| Symbol | Example | Meaning |
| Less than “<“ | a) 2 < 4 b) 18 < 26 c) 98 < 100 | a) The number 2 is less than 4. b) The number 18 is less than 26. c) The number 98 is less than 100. |
In Mathematics, less than and greater than symbols describe inequality between two values. The “<” symbol is used to indicate less than odds.
Important Notes:
- One of the easiest ways to remember “greater than” and “less than” signs is to imagine them as hungry alligators always eating large numbers. Therefore, the wide-open side of the sign faces a larger number.
- Another way to remember them is that the “<” symbol looks like the letter “L”. In other words, “<” means “less.
less than sign definition
The best way to remember the less than sign is the “alligator method”. When comparing two values, think of the alligator method. An alligator’s mouth always represents excellent value because it can eat as much as possible. An alligator’s mouth is always open to the right to indicate less than the odds. We can also use the alligator method to use more than one symbol. The alligator’s mouth points to the left to further define the symbol. In Simple, the less-than sign (<) is thought of it as a tilted L for “less” or a crocodile mouth trying to eat the right side.
Another method for memorizing the less-than sign is the “L Method.” The less sign is more accessible than the L method sign. “Less” starts with the letter “L” and the symbol representing the less sign (<) looks almost like the letter L.
less than sign example
One of the best ways to remember the over and under symbols is to imagine them as small alligators (or crocodiles), with the numbers on either side representing several fish. An alligator always wants to eat a large number of fish, so any number with its mouth open is a large number.
The alligator’s mouth is open towards 4, so even if we’re not sure that 4 is a bigger number than 3, the > sign tells us. All inequality signs give us the relationship between the first number and the second number, starting with the first number, so 4 > 3 translates to “4 is greater than 3”.
Conclusion:
A less sign indicates a given value is less than a specified value. For example, there are two numbers, 2 and 4. We will describe the less than symbol by placing a small number left side and the big number on the right side of the less than sign like this 2 < 4. It means two is less than 4.
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