Mastering the Greater Than and the Less Than Symbol for Kids

When it comes to Math education, your child can be quite moody. The vibrant subject, often deemed boring, can overwhelm your little one. However, with correct guidance and knowledge of the basics, they can master math easily. Math is a vast subject comprising various elements. The math symbols are one such element that looks easy but have a great role to play. If we mess up the math symbols, the entire equation can go wrong.

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When children begin to grasp symbols, mathematics can become enjoyable. Children's ability to compare numbers and solve problems is enhanced by the use of symbols such as greater than (>) and less than (<). It is crucial to teach children about these symbols, and with innovative teaching techniques, they can quickly become proficient. Let's explore these symbols and how to properly memorize them!

What Do Symbols Mean in Math Education?

Math symbols are instruments that simplify mathematical equations and facilitate comprehension of difficult concepts. They help in the explicit representation of relationships, values, and operations, from simple operations like addition (+) and subtraction (-) to comparison symbols like (>) and (<). Since symbols constitute the language of mathematics, mathematical ideas can be expressed universally.

What Does the Greater Than and Less Than Symbol Mean?

Greater than symbol and less than symbol are examples of symbols that indicate comparisons between values. They indicate whether one number is greater or less than the other. The greater than symbol (>), for instance, indicates that 9 is greater than 4 in the equation 9 > 4. Children learn to think logically and apply numbers to problems in real life using these symbols.

The Greater Than Symbol

The greater than symbol (>) opens toward the larger number and indicates the smaller one. For instance, the symbol 13 > 7 indicates that 13 is bigger than 7. It is generally easier for children to remember this when it is taught as a "hungry alligator" searching for the larger number.

The Less Than Symbol

The greater than symbol's reverse is the less than symbol (<). It opens toward the greater number while pointing to the smaller one. For example, the sign 2 < 8 indicates that 2 is less than 8. Similar to the "hungry alligator," the larger number is being "eaten" by this sign.

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6 Strategies to Help Children Learn Greater Than and Less Than Symbols

One can adopt different ways to teach these symbols to kids. Since these are the foundations of Math Education, we must teach these to children in a manner that helps with retention-

• Make Use of Visual Aids: Make numerical and symbolic flashcards to aid children in visualizing similarities.
• Connect to Real Life: To make the idea concrete, compare items such as fruits or toys.
• Dynamic Games: Let kids play games like "symbol races" in which they have to pick the right symbol for each pair of numbers.
• Storytelling: Personify symbols and make them memorable by using the "hungry alligator" narrative.
• Worksheets: Use practice to strengthen learning by working through entertaining comparison challenges.
• Online Tools: Make use of applications or movies that provide interactive explanations and tests for these symbols.

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FAQs 

Q.1: What are math symbols?

Ans: Characters or signs that represent mathematical processes, relationships, or values.

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.

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.

Q.4: How does storytelling help in learning math symbols?

Ans: By establishing enduring associations, storytelling helps people relate to mathematical symbols. For example, the "hungry alligator" narrative improves understanding by making the greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols simpler for children.

Q.5: Give an example of the less than symbol.

Ans: 6 < 10 indicates that 6 is less than 10.

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