6 Tricks to Teach Kids the Greater Than Sign and the Less Than Sign

ElevatEd
Math
February 13, 2025

Do you know what < and > mean? No? Are you confused? Let us help you... When it comes to Math and children, we need to be creative so that the concepts are well understood. This way, children find it interesting and remember it for a longer time. Today, we will talk about comparison symbols like the greater than sign and the less than sign.

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With the correct techniques, teaching children about greater than sign (>) and less than sign (<) may be entertaining and interesting! Children can better grasp comparisons, a crucial math ability, with the help of these symbols (along with the equals = sign of course, but today we focus on these two). Simple, imaginative methods can be used to add excitement and memorability to the learning process. Here's how to properly explain these symptoms to children.

What Are Greater Than and Less Than Signs?

In mathematics, numbers are compared using the greater than (>) and less than (<) signs. ">" indicates a larger number, whereas "<" indicates a smaller number on the left. This can be easily remembered by comparing the signs to the jaws of an alligator, which always "eats" the greater number!

6 Ways to Explain Less Than and Greater Than Signs to Children

The following creative tricks can help children understand these comparison symbols better and give them clarity. We, at 98thPercentile employ various ways to explain concepts to students-

The Alligator Trick: Describe how the signs resemble the mouth of an alligator. When faced with a larger number, the ravenous alligator always opens its mouth and vice versa.
Real Objects: Comparing sets of toys, candies, or fruits is an example of using real objects. Ask your child which group has more, then explain the comparison with signs.
Practice with Number Lines: To illustrate how numbers increase to the right, use a number line. Show children how to utilize the signs according to their position. We, at 98thPercentile, follow various dynamic strategies so that children comprehend concepts better. We customize the way we teach as per the child’s needs.
Draw and Color: As children practice with numbers, have them sketch and color the alligator signs.
Reiterate with Flashcards: Make flashcards with various number pairs so that children can compare them and identify the appropriate sign.
Collaborative Games: To keep learning engaging and dynamic, play DIY or internet games.

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In conclusion, it doesn't have to be hard to teach the greater than sign and the less than sign to children. Hands-on exercises and entertaining tactics like the alligator method can help kids quickly understand the topic. If you make it fun, they'll love learning math! At 98thPercentile, we believe in making learning fun for kids so that they enjoy the learning phase. Try out the one-week free trial classes for our incredible Math program and help your child ace Math like a pro!

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q.1: What are math signs and symbols?

Ans: Symbols or characters that stand for mathematical relationships, values, or processes are called mathematical signs or symbols. They are important to grasp for children so that they can comprehend them and use them for more mathematical equations.

Q.2: What is the greater than symbol?

Ans: The greater than symbol (>) indicates that a number on the left is greater than a number on the right. The sign with the open end indicates the larger number.

Q.3: What is the less than symbol?

Ans: The less than symbol (<) indicates that a number on the left is less than a number on the right. The sign with the joint end indicates the number to be smaller.

Q.4: Give 2 examples of each, the greater than sign and the less than sign.

Ans: Examples of greater than sign would be- 6 > 1, and 10 > 5.
Examples of greater than sign would be- 5 < 6, 3 < 8.

Q.5: Why is it important for children to understand the comparison symbols?

Ans: Children who understand comparison symbols are better able to learn fundamental math skills, enhance their number sense, and lay the groundwork for more complex ideas like algebra and arithmetic.