Understanding "Less Than" in Math

In math, "less than" is a comparison between two numbers to determine which is smaller. The symbol used to denote "less than" is < (less than symbol).

Example:

If we have the numbers 5 and 8, we can say that 5 is less than 8, which can be written as 5 < 8. This means 5 is smaller than 8.

How to Read "Less Than" Statements:

When reading a "less than" statement, we can say "5 is less than 8" or "8 is greater than 5". Both statements convey the same comparison between the two numbers.

Inequality Notation:

In inequality notation, "less than" is represented by the < (less than) symbol. For example, 3 < 7 means "3 is less than 7".

Using "Less Than" in Comparisons:

When comparing numbers, if the number on the left of the < symbol is smaller than the number on the right, the statement is true. For example, 4 < 9 is a true statement because 4 is smaller than 9.

Understanding "less than" is essential for comparing numbers and understanding their relationships in mathematics.

[Less Than] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Fractions Greater Than or Less Than 1/2Mathematics • Second Grade
• Greater Than/Less ThanMathematics • Third Grade
• Comparing NumbersMathematics • Second Grade
• Comparing ObjectsMathematics • Second Grade