Math
Confusing the Greater-Than and Less-Than Symbols
Students point the symbol the wrong way and write the smaller number as if it is greater.
Quick check
Why students make it
Students often remember the symbol as a shape instead of reading it as a comparison. They may forget that the open side faces the greater number and the point faces the smaller number.
The rule done right
The greater-than symbol means the number on the left is greater. The less-than symbol means the number on the left is less.
Related resources
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Math, Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To Infographic -
Math, Solving and Graphing Inequalities Infographic -
Inequalities Infographic - Inequalities & Absolute Value Cheat Sheet
- Place Value & Number Sense Cheat Sheet
- Pre-Algebra Foundations Cheat Sheet
- Comparing Numbers Using Less Than, Greater Than, and Equal To Worksheet
- Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To Worksheet
- Greater Than, Less Than, Equal To, 3-Digit Numbers Worksheet
- Comparing and Ordering 2-Digit Numbers Worksheet
- Comparing Two-Digit Numbers Worksheet
- Count, Compare & Order Numbers Tool
- Place Value Explorer Tool
- Integer Number Line Tool
- Number Path & Hop Count Adventure Tool
- Integer Operations & Absolute Value Lab Lab
- Place Value, Decimals & Scientific Notation Lab Lab
- Number Path & Hop Count Lab Lab