Greater Than and Less Than

In math, we use special symbols to show which number is bigger. Think of the Greater Than symbol $>$ and the Less Than symbol $<$ as an alligator's mouth. The alligator is always hungry, so his mouth always opens toward the larger number! If the numbers are exactly the same, we use the Equal To symbol $=$. These symbols help us compare amounts without using a lot of words. For example, instead of writing 'ten is less than twenty,' we can simply write $10 < 20$.

When we compare bigger numbers like $42$ and $28$, we use a secret trick: Look at the Tens digit first! The tens digit is the first number on the left. In $42$, the tens digit is $4$. In $28$, the tens digit is $2$. Since $4$ tens is more than $2$ tens, we already know that $42$ is the winner! We don't even need to look at the second number (the ones digit) unless the tens digits are the same.

What happens if the tens digits are the same? For example, $34$ and $39$. Both start with a $3$! This is when we use the ones digit as a tie-breaker. We look at the second number. Since $9$ is bigger than $4$, we know that $39$ is greater than $34$. If both digits are exactly the same, like $55$ and $55$, the alligator can't decide! That is when we use the Equal To sign: $55 = 55$.