The symbols “>” (major) and “<" (minor) are elements that are used in mathematics to indicate that one value is greater or less than another. These two signs are used to designate inequality and the opening always points to the larger number and the ending or tip to the smaller number.
For example: 16> 12 (16 is greater than 12), 7 < 11 (7 es menor que 11), 134 > 132 (134 is greater than 132).
- The> (major) sign. The greater symbol expresses that the number in front of the figure is greater than the one behind it. For example: 3> 2. This reads: three is greater than two. To recognize this sign it must be remembered that the opening points to the largest number.
- The <(minor) sign. The minor symbol indicates that the element in front of it is smaller than the one behind it. For example: 2 <6. This reads: two is less than six. To recognize this sign it must be remembered that the tip points to the smallest number.
Examples of the> (major) sign
- 2> 1 that is, 2 is greater than 1.
- 14> 12 that is, 14 is greater than 12.
- 29> 9 that is, 29 is greater than 9.
- 56> 26 that is, 56 is greater than 26.
- 108> 5 that is, 108 is greater than 5.
- 123> 100 that is, 123 is greater than 100.
- 170> 132 that is, 170 is greater than 132.
- 298> 98 that is, 298 is greater than 98.
- 340> 240 that is, 340 is greater than 240.
- 500> 100 that is, 500 is greater than 100.
- 2340> 2000 that is, 2340 is greater than 2000.
- 3698> 3000 that is, 3698 is greater than 3000.
- 9999> 999 that is, 9999 is greater than 999.
- 10,000> 18 that is, 10,000 is greater than 18.
- 120,000> 120 that is, 120,000 is greater than 120
Examples of the <(minor) sign
- 2 <5 that is, 2 is less than 5.
- 8 <12 that is, 8 is less than 12.
- 14 <36 that is, 14 is less than 36.
- 59 <69 that is, 59 is less than 69.
- 72 <84 that is, 72 is less than 84.
- 94 <96 that is, 94 is less than 96.
- 105 <106 that is, 105 is less than 106.
- 352 <543 that is, 352 is less than 543.
- 500 <800 that is, 500 is less than 800.
- 800 <1200 that is, 800 is less than 1200.
- 1478 <1784 that is, 1478 is less than 1784.
- 3333 <4444 that is, 3333 is less than 4444.
- 9800 <9801 that is, 9800 is less than 9801.
- 10,500 <13,000 that is, 10,500 is less than 13,000.
- 250,000 <500,000 that is, 250,000 is less than 500,000.
The symbols ≥ and ≤
The symbol ≥ indicates that the number in front of the symbol is “greater than or equal” than the number behind it. On the contrary, the symbol ≤ it means that the number in front is “less than or equal to” the number behind. These symbols are used for mathematical formulas and not so much for numbers.