Greater Than Symbol - Definition, Examples, Quiz, FAQ, Trivia
Learn to compare numbers with easy explanations, examples, and practice activities
What is the Greater Than Symbol?
The greater than symbol (>) is a mathematical symbol used to compare two numbers or values. It shows that the number on the left is bigger than the number on the right.
Think of the symbol as a hungry alligator's mouth that always opens toward the bigger number because it wants to eat more! For example:
This means "8 is greater than 3" - the alligator is opening toward the bigger number, 8.
We use the greater than symbol to show relationships between numbers in math, science, and everyday life. It helps us understand which quantity is larger.
Key Concept
The greater than symbol (>) always points to the smaller number and opens to the larger number.
How to Use the Greater Than Symbol
Using the greater than symbol is easy when you follow these steps:
Step 1: Look at the two numbers you want to compare
Step 2: Decide which number is bigger
Step 3: Place the bigger number on the left side of the symbol
Step 4: Place the smaller number on the right side of the symbol
Remember the alligator trick: The open mouth always faces the bigger number!
Comparison Symbols
Greater Than
5 is greater than 3
Less Than
2 is less than 7
Equal To
4 equals 4
Remember
The greater than symbol (>) and less than symbol (<) are opposites. Always point to the smaller number!
Real-World Examples
Let's see how we use greater than in everyday life:
Example 1: Age comparison
"My sister is 10 years old and I am 8 years old. So 10 > 8"
Example 2: Comparing heights
"The tree is 15 feet tall, the bush is 6 feet tall. So 15 > 6"
Example 3: Comparing quantities
"I have 12 marbles and my friend has 9 marbles. So 12 > 9"
Example 4: Comparing scores
"In the game, Sarah scored 25 points and Tom scored 18 points. So 25 > 18"
Practice comparing things around you - the number of windows in rooms, pages in books, or people in groups!
Practice Tip
When comparing two-digit numbers, look at the tens place first. If they're equal, then look at the ones place.
Greater Than Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge with this 5-question quiz. Choose the correct answer for each question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the greater than symbol:
Math Comparison Trivia
Discover interesting facts about mathematical comparisons:
Historical Symbols
The greater than symbol was first used in the 1630s by mathematician Thomas Harriot. Before this, mathematicians wrote out "is greater than" in words.
Computer Science
In programming, the greater than symbol (>) is used for comparisons and logical operations. Double greater than symbols (>>) have special meanings in some programming languages.
Astronomy Comparisons
Astronomers use greater than symbols when comparing distances in space. For example, the Sun is > 1 million times larger than Earth!
Largest Number Comparison
The largest number with a name is "googolplex" (10googol). A googol is already 10100 (1 followed by 100 zeros), so googolplex > googol > any number you normally use!
