Ordering Numbers with Greater Than and Less Than Signs for Primary 1

Whole Numbers (Quantitative Aptitude on Ordering of Numbers)

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Solve quantitative aptitude tasks on ordering of objects using symbols (< or >)

Understanding Greater Than and Less Than

When comparing two groups of objects or two numbers, one can be bigger or smaller than the other. We use special signs to show this relationship.

What is “Greater Than”?

When one number or group of objects has more than another, it is “greater than” the other. The sign for “greater than” is $>$.

Imagine a hungry crocodile. Its mouth always opens towards the bigger number or the group with more objects. The wide-open part of the sign points to the larger quantity.

For example, if there are 5 pencils and 3 pencils, 5 pencils are greater than 3 pencils. We write this as $5 > 3$.

) is placed between the two groups, with the open mouth facing the 5 pencils.
alt: Five pencils on the left, a greater than symbol, and three pencils on the right.
caption: Five pencils are greater than three pencils.
aspect_ratio: 16:9
–>

What is “Less Than”?

When one number or group of objects has fewer than another, it is “less than” the other. The sign for “less than” is $<$.

Using the crocodile idea again, the pointed end of the sign (the crocodile’s tail) always points to the smaller number or the group with fewer objects.

For example, if there are 2 biros and 4 biros, 2 biros are less than 4 biros. We write this as $2 < 4$.

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type: ai
format: image
use_case: concept_illustration
description: An illustration showing two groups of biros. On the left, there are 2 biros. On the right, there are 4 biros. A large red 'less than' symbol (

Comparing Numbers Using Symbols

We can use the greater than (>) and less than (<) signs to compare any two numbers. It helps us to order numbers from smallest to largest or largest to smallest.

Look at the number line below. Numbers on the right are greater than numbers on the left. Numbers on the left are less than numbers on the right.

Worked Examples

Here are some examples of how to compare numbers using the symbols:

1. Compare 7 and 4.

   Seven is a bigger number than four. So, 7 is greater than 4.

   $$ 7 > 4 $$

2. Compare 3 and 9.

   Three is a smaller number than nine. So, 3 is less than 9.

   $$ 3 < 9 $$

3. Compare 12 and 8.

   Twelve is a bigger number than eight. So, 12 is greater than 8.

   $$ 12 > 8 $$

4. Compare 6 and 15.

   Six is a smaller number than fifteen. So, 6 is less than 15.

   $$ 6 < 15 $$

5. Compare 10 and 10.

   Ten is the same as ten. So, we use the “equals” sign.

   $$ 10 = 10 $$

Solving Quantitative Aptitude Tasks

Quantitative aptitude tasks on ordering numbers mean you need to look at two numbers or groups of objects and decide which symbol ($>$ or $<$) fits between them. Sometimes, the "equals" sign ($=$) is also used if the numbers are the same.

The procedure for solving these tasks involves the following steps:

1. Look at the two numbers or groups of objects you need to compare.
2. Decide which one is bigger (has more) and which one is smaller (has less).
3. If the first number is bigger, use the $>$ sign.
4. If the first number is smaller, use the $<$ sign.
5. If both numbers are the same, use the $=$ sign.

Practice Tasks

Fill in the correct sign ($>$, $<$, or $=$) in the boxes below:

1. 8 $\Box$ 5
2. 2 $\Box$ 11
3. 14 $\Box$ 14
4. 10 $\Box$ 1
5. 17 $\Box$ 19
6. 6 $\Box$ 6
7. 13 $\Box$ 7
8. 9 $\Box$ 16
9. 20 $\Box$ 18
10. 3 $\Box$ 12