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Early math review
Course: Early math review > Unit 3
Lesson 3: Comparing 2-digit numbersComparison symbols review
Review greater than, less than, and equal to symbols and try some practice problems.
Comparing numbers
When we compare numbers, we can use symbols to show if the first number is start text, start color #11accd, g, r, e, a, t, e, r, space, t, h, a, n, end color #11accd, end text, start text, start color #1fab54, l, e, s, s, space, t, h, a, n, end color #1fab54, end text, or start text, start color #7854ab, e, q, u, a, l, space, t, o, end color #7854ab, end text the second number.
Greater than
The symbol for start text, start color #11accd, g, r, e, a, t, e, r, space, t, h, a, n, end color #11accd, end text is start color #11accd, is greater than, end color #11accd.
19 is start text, start color #11accd, g, r, e, a, t, e, r, space, t, h, a, n, end color #11accd, end text 4. So, we can use the start color #11accd, is greater than, end color #11accd symbol and write 19, start color #11accd, is greater than, end color #11accd, 4.
Less than
The symbol for start text, start color #1fab54, l, e, s, s, space, t, h, a, n, end color #1fab54, end text is start color #1fab54, is less than, end color #1fab54.
23 is start text, start color #1fab54, l, e, s, s, space, t, h, a, n, end color #1fab54, end text 80. So, we can use the start color #1fab54, is less than, end color #1fab54 symbol and write 23, start color #1fab54, is less than, end color #1fab54, 80.
One way to remember the symbols is that the larger, open side of the symbol should always face the greater number.
Equal to
The symbol for start text, start color #7854ab, e, q, u, a, l, space, t, o, end color #7854ab, end text is start color #7854ab, equals, end color #7854ab.
35 is start text, start color #7854ab, e, q, u, a, l, space, t, o, end color #7854ab, end text 35. So, we can use the start color #7854ab, equals, end color #7854ab symbol and write 35, start color #7854ab, equals, end color #7854ab, 35.
Want to learn more about comparison symbols? Check out this video.
Want to join the conversation?
- Can we compare decimals too?(5 votes)
- Yes you can. Like this 0.34 > 0.23 or 0.45 < 0.87(6 votes)
- If 50<61 can be written as 61>50, then why do we need both the symbols? Can't we just use one of them?(0 votes)
- because in more complicated problems you can come across equations that use both or won't be the same backwards and forwards.(3 votes)