Greater Than and Less Than Symbols For Preschoolers and Kids – Examples and Activities

Mathematics is a language with its own sets of rules and formulas. The symbols and signs used in maths are quite unique and are universally accepted. From school till graduation, we encounter these signs in all the mathematical concepts we study. The use of these signs and symbols helps us to say what we want, consuming less of our time. For example, greater than and less than signs help us convey the meaning using the signs “>” and “<“.

In this article, we are going to learn about greater than and less than concept with the help of their definition, their signs, solved examples and some fun activities. The greater and less concept is used for comparing two numbers. Therefore, it is important that children understand how to use and represent greater than and less than using signs.

Let’s get started and teach greater than and less than to kindergarten kids.

What Is Greater Than Sign (>)?

Greater than sign helps us to define which quantity/amount is larger than the other one. The greater than sign in maths is “>”. This sign is placed between two values in which one number is greater than the other number.

What Is Less than Sign (<)?

Less than sign helps us to define which quantity/amount is smaller than the other one. The less than sign in maths is “< “. This sign is placed between two values in which one number is smaller than the other number.

What Is Equal To Sign (=)?

Equal to sign helps us to define the equality between two numbers or values. The equal to sign in maths is “=”. The sign is placed between two values when they are equal.

Rules For Comparison Of Numbers

Here are some rules on how to read greater than and less than numbers.

• The more the number of digits, the greater the number.
• If two numbers have an equal number of digits, look for the left-hand side of the two numbers. The number with the bigger digit on the left-hand side is greater.
• If the two leftmost digits are the same, then compare the next digit to the right and continue to compare the numbers in this manner.

Why Do We Use The Greater Than And Less Than?

Greater than and less than are used to compare any two numbers/values/amounts/etc. When the given number is bigger or smaller than the other number, greater than and less than signs are used. If the first number is greater than the second number, greater than sign (>) is used. If the first number is less than the second number, less than the sign (<) is used.

Examples Of Greater Than And Less Than

It is important that we teach our little ones how to use the greater than and less than signs. Teaching and learning with the help of examples make the learning process easy for children. In this section, we have covered examples of greater than and less than for children. Let’s read and teach!

Greater Than Symbol Examples

• 5 > 3 (5 is greater than 3)
• 7 > 5 (7 is greater than 5)
• 2 > 1 (2 is greater than 1)
• 20 > 15 (20 is greater than 15)
• 60 > 35 (60 is greater than 35)
• 100 > 70 (100 is greater than 70)
• 22 > 13 (22 is greater than 13)
• 9 > 3 (9 is greater than 3)

Less Than Symbol Examples

• 2 < 4 (2 is less than 4)
• 17 < 34 (17 is less than 34)
• 23 < 74 (23 is less than 74)
• 89 < 100 (89 is less than 100)
• 68 < 72 (68 is less than 72)
• 24 < 42 (24 is less than 42)
• 99 < 100 (99 is less than 100)
• 25 < 40 (25 is less than 40)

Simple Tricks To Remember Greater And Less Than Signs

Let’s read about some tricks to remember greater and less than signs for kids. Here we will discuss 3 methods:

1. Understanding signs using points

For Greater Than Sign (>)

• Understand the sign from the left side to the right side.
• On the left hand, it has two points, and on the right side, it has one point, which means it denotes greater than the sign.

For Less Than Sign (<)

• Understand the symbol from the left side to the right side.
• On the left hand, it has one point, and on the right side, it has two points, which means it denotes less than a sign.

2. Alligator Method

• We assume the sign “<” and “>” are alligators with a number on both sides, which are fishes.
• The alligator always wants to eat a larger number of fish, so the mouth is always opens towards the greater number.

3. L Method

• The letter ‘L’ looks like the less-than symbol “<“.
• You can remember the first letter of the word, less than to be the sign. Example: 10 < 50 (10 is less than 50)

Word Problems On Greater Than & Less Than Symbols For Kids

Here are some word problems with the solution on greater than and less than symbols for children.

1. Ram has twelve bananas, and Mansi has six bananas. Find out who has fewer bananas.

Solution:

Ram has 12 bananas.
Mansi has 6 bananas.
So, 6 is less than 12, 6 <12
Therefore, Mansi has less bananas than Ram.

2. Gayatri walks in the park for fifty minutes, while Rohan walks in the park for 30 minutes every day. Who walks for less time in the park?

Solution:

Gayatri walks for 50 minutes.
Rohan walks for 30 minutes.
Therefore, Rohan walks for less time in the park.
So, 30 is less than 50, 30 < 40.

3. Sita purchased two bags, while Geeta purchased only one bag. Who purchased less bags?

Solution:

Sita purchased 2 bags.
Geeta purchased 1 bag.
So, 1 is less than 2, 1 < 2.
Therefore, Geeta purchased less bags.

4. Giraffe’s weight is 1800 kg, and a zebra’s weight is 300 kg. Who weighs more?

Solution:

Giraffe weighs 1800 kg.
Zebra weighs 300 kg.
So, 1800 is greater than 300, 1800 > 300
So, giraffe weight is more than that of zebra.

Practice Questions To Help Kids Revise Greater Than & Less Than Sign

1. Place the correct sign:

20 _ 30
50 _ 25
80 _ 80

Answer:

20 < 30
50 > 25
80 = 80

2. Rani has 5 apples; Jahnvi has 9 apples. Fill in the correct sign to tell who has more apples.
9 _ 5

Answer: 9 > 5

Therefore, Jahnvi has a more number of apples than Rani.

3. 77 _ 77. Fill in the correct sign.

Answer: 77 = 77

4. Use the correct sign and tell which number is smaller.
100 _ 250

Answer: 100 < 250

Therefore, 100 is less than 250.

5. Between the numbers 44 and 66, which is greater?

Answer: 66 > 44

Therefore, 66 is greater than 44.

6. Fill in the correct symbol.
90 _ 82

Answer: 90 > 82

Activities To Teach Your Child Greater Than and Less Than Symbols

Let’s take a look at some greater than less than preschool activities.

1. Throw The Dice

Take two dice and ask your child to throw them to draw two numbers. Ask them which number is greater or less than the other number.

2. Count And Tell

Collect your little one’s soft toys and storybooks. Keep the two things in separate stacks. Ask your child to count each of the two categories and tell which one is less in number than the other one.

3. Activity Worksheets

Make an activity worksheet for your child where they have to just put in the sign of greater than and less than. For example, you can make a similar activity sheet for your child:

• 9 _ 8
• 55 _ 89
• 21 _ 12
• 77 _ 77
• 99 _ 100
• 15 _ 62

4. Card Game

Start playing this card game with your child. Divide the cards equally between you and your child. Both of you have to throw one card at a time. Ask your child to compare the number on the two cards and tell which one is greater than the other.

5. Sensory Bin Play

Take a basket and add pom poms of any 2 colours to it. Ask your child to sort the pom poms according to their colours and tell which one coloured pom poms are less than the other one.

We hope this article on greater than and less than (more than and less than) helped your little one to learn and understand the concept easily. The activities mentioned above are very simple, fun and engaging and will help your child in learning an important mathematical concept. If you have any questions related to this topic, drop them in the comments below, and we will be happy to provide you with answers.

Also Read:

More and Less Concept for Children
Greatest and Smallest Numbers for Kids
Number Names for Kids to Improve Math Skills