use the greater than and less than signs to compare numbers when we compare numbers we're telling about their sizes 3 is greater than 1 2 is less than 9 instead of writing in words we use signs that tell about size math signs are quicker tidier and they're recognized around the world have you seen this before this sign means greater than we use it to show that one value is greater than another so we could write 4 is greater than 2 we know this statement is true for is more than 2 this sign faces the opposite way it is the less than sign we could use it to write 5 is less than 10 right about now you might be thinking how can I tell though signs apart I'll explain the sign and you're going to get it very quickly we understand the sign from left side to right side like reading a word on a page on the left I see two points and on the right there's one point 2 is greater than 1 this is the greater than sign I'll use it again 6 is greater than 3 this sign faces the other way again go left to right on the left there's one point and on the right there are 2 points 1 is less than 2 this is the less than sign here's another example 5 is less than 10 you can use this thinking to get it right every single time what's this which sign do we use with these numbers well put two points beside the bigger number and one beside the smaller number join the dots and we've instantly got the correct sign this statement reads 2 is less than 8 another one put two points beside the bigger number one beside the smaller number join the dots this Damon reads 11 is greater than 7 you can see writing the sign is easy reading it off takes a bit more practice in time these new signs will become familiar just like these signs for now I think the best approach is to just get started with this easy logical thinking and if your teacher gives you a pair of numbers like this then you use a sign you already know now it's time for you to use the greater than and less than signs for yourself in your math book and while you're practicing you'll be building your math muscle you