Comparing Numbers Using Greater Than and Less Than
Grade 2 · Math · Study Guide
Learn to compare numbers and use the symbols > (greater than), < (less than), and = (equal to).
When we compare numbers, we figure out which one is bigger, smaller, or if they are the same. We use special symbols to show this. The greater than symbol (>) points toward the smaller number, like a wide-open mouth eating the bigger one. The less than symbol (<) points toward the larger number. The equals sign (=) means both numbers are the same.
To compare two-digit or three-digit numbers, start with the highest place value. If the hundreds digits are different, the one with the bigger hundreds digit wins. If the hundreds are the same, check the tens. If the tens are the same, check the ones.
A helpful trick: the symbol always opens toward the bigger number, like a hungry alligator that always wants to eat the most food. 48 > 31 because 48 is greater. 19 < 25 because 19 is less than 25.
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| > | Greater than | 52 > 38 |
| < | Less than | 17 < 44 |
| = | Equal to | 25 = 25 |
Key terms
- Greater than (>)
- The value on the left is larger than the value on the right
- Less than (<)
- The value on the left is smaller than the value on the right
- Equal to (=)
- Both values are the same
- Compare
- To find out if one number is bigger, smaller, or the same as another
Flashcards
- What does > mean?
- Greater than — the number on the left is bigger
- What does < mean?
- Less than — the number on the left is smaller
- What does = mean?
- Equal to — both numbers are the same
- Is 64 > 46?
- Yes — 64 is greater than 46
- Is 19 < 91?
- Yes — 19 is less than 91
- Alligator trick for < and >
- The open mouth always faces the bigger number (the one it wants to eat)
Practice questions
Which symbol goes in the blank? 73 ___ 37
- <
- >
- =
- +
Show answer
Answer: >
73 is greater than 37, so 73 > 37.
The symbol > means greater than.
Show answer
Answer: True
The symbol > always means greater than.
24 < 42 means 24 is ___ than 42.
Show answer
Answer: less
24 < 42 tells us 24 is less than 42.
Which symbol makes this true? 100 ___ 100
- >
- <
- =
- ≠
Show answer
Answer: =
100 equals 100, so we use the equals sign.
Which is true?
- 55 > 75
- 32 < 23
- 88 > 79
- 14 > 41
Show answer
Answer: 88 > 79
88 is greater than 79. The others are false: 55 < 75; 32 > 23; 14 < 41.
Fun facts
- The greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols were invented by British mathematician Thomas Harriot in 1631.
- A fun way to remember: the open end of > or < always faces the bigger number, like a hungry alligator eating the most food!
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