Greater Than

Greater than is a mathematical term used to compare two quantities and help to establish a relationship between two where one term is greater than the other term. To compare two numbers, amount or quantities, greater than, less than, and equal to terms are used. There is an individual sign for each term like greater than is represented by" >", equal is represented by " = ", and lesser than is represented by "<".

The term 'greater than' is used when a number is larger than the other number. Even to compare the two weights, greater than is used. For example, Joe goes to an ice-cream parlor. He loves the chocolate and vanilla flavors of the ice-creams but wanted to buy an ice cream cone which is cheaper. He asked about the prices of the chocolate cone and vanilla cone. The shopkeeper told him the prices of the two cones: The price of the chocolate cone is $10 and the price of the vanilla cone is $ 5. Then to compare the prices of the two cones, Joe must use the 'greater than' concept. As we can see the price of a chocolate cone is more than a vanilla cone. The price of the chocolate cone ($10) is greater than the price of the vanilla cone ($5), or 10 > 5. So he compares the price of both ice-creams and decided to buy a vanilla ice cream. Similarly to compare the two weights, distances, volumes, etc. greater than sign is used.

When we compare numbers, we compare the value of numbers. There are some mathematical signs we use instead of words, to compare the numbers. Mathematical signs make the work simpler and quicker.

Look at the above image which shows the sign. The sign is known as the greater than sign in math. This sign is used to show that one value is greater than the other value. For example, the statement "4 is greater than 2" is true. So we can write it as 4 > 2.
Now, let's understand the greater than symbol from the left side and the right side. The open side of the sign (>) having two corners/points whereas the closing side of the sign is having only one corner/point. The wide-open side of the sign having two points always faces the bigger number or greater value number, whereas the closing endpoint of a sign faces the smaller number or lesser value number.
Note: We can represent 4 is greater than 2 like this "2 < 4", here, also the wide-open side of the sign is in front of the bigger number that is 4. As the closing endpoint is facing the smaller number 2, we can say in words 2 is lesser than 4.

Following are the tips that help in the concept of greater than.

• The words "more than", "greater than", "bigger than", and "larger than" etc. correspond to the sign >.
• The words "minimum", "at least" and "greater than or equal to" etc. correspond to the sign " ≥ ".
• While comparing the values keep the wide-open side of the sign in front of the greater value.

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How to use the Greater Than Sign in Math?

While comparing the two numbers we can use greater than sign in math. For example, let's compare two-digit numbers, 32 and 17. While comparing the two-digit numbers, we first compare the digit at tens place. If the digits are the same we will compare the digits at ones place. Here the digit at tens place is 3 and 1 and 3 is greater than 1, so 32 is greater than 17.

Is 75 is Greater Than 74?

Yes, 75 is greater than 74. While comparing the two-digit numbers, we first compare the digits at tens place. If the digits are the same we will compare the digits at ones place. Here the digit at tens place is the same so we will compare the digits at ones place that is 5 and 4 and 5 is greater than 4, so 75 is greater than 74.

What is Greater Than or Equal to Sign?

Greater than or equal to sign is a mathematical symbol that is used when one value is either greater than or equal to some other value. Greater than or equal to symbol looks like " ≥ ".

What is the Difference Between Greater Than and Less than Sign?

Greater than and less than signs can be used to compare numbers. The greater than symbol is >. For example, 8 > 7 is read as '8 is greater than 7'. The less-than sign is "<". 7 < 8, 7 is less than 8.

What is the Difference Between Greater Than and Equal to Sign?

Greater than and equal to signs are used to compare numbers. The greater-than sign is >. For example, 85 > 75 is read as '85 is greater than 75'. The equal to sign is "=". 75 = 75.

How to Remember Greater Than Sign?

The greater sign looks like this ">". The wide-open side of the sign should be in front of the greater number, and the pointed end should be to the smaller number.