Comparing Numbers: Greater, Less, Equal

Arithmetic · Axiom Academy

LESSON Comparing Numbers: Greater, Less, Equal Comparing any two numbers with the three symbols that cover every case — <, =, and >. 1. The Three Comparison Symbols Every comparison of two numbers lands in exactly one of three cases. The two inequality symbols are easy to read once you notice that the wide side faces the larger value and the point faces the smaller one — the symbol always opens toward the larger number . The symbol opens toward 9, the larger number 2. See the Difference: 5 and 8 To compare two whole numbers, line up their sizes side by side. Grow one bar to a height of 5 and the other to a height of 8 . The 5-bar comes up shorter , so 5 is the smaller number — and the inequality opens toward the taller 8-bar. 5 reaches a lower height, so it names fewer — it is the smaller number. 8 reaches higher, so it names more — it is the larger number. Its wide side faces the taller bar; the point faces the shorter one. "5 is less than 8" — the first number named is the smaller one. 5 has fewer than 8, so 5 < 8 . The same comparison the other way around is 8 > 5 — same two bars, the symbol still opens toward the taller 8. If both bars grow to the same height , neither one is larger. The two quantities match exactly, so the comparison is = . Watch both bars rise to a height of 6 and stop level with each other. Same height, no point: the equals sign has two flat, level bars — it doesn't point anywhere because neither number is larger.

This is the written version of the interactive lesson above. See the full Arithmetic course.