2
The open sign
Discover Mathematics: Chapter 3
GoalUse the signs for greater than and less than to compare two numbers up to 15.
New words
compare · look at two numbers and see which is biggergreater than sign · the sign that says more thanless than sign · the sign that says fewer than
Explanation
There are two signs for comparing. Each looks like a letter V turned on its side. The open side faces the greater number. The pointed end faces the smaller number. We read 12 > 9 as: twelve is greater than nine. We read 9 < 12 as: nine is less than twelve. The pointed end always points to the smaller number.
Worked examples
12 lemons and 9 lemons: 12 > 9. The open side faces 12, the greater number.
8 oranges and 14 oranges: 8 < 14. The pointed end faces 8, the smaller number.
Which sign fits in 15 __ 11? Fifteen is greater, so write 15 > 11.
Class activity
Button heaps. Make two heaps of buttons on the floor, up to 15 in each. The child counts both heaps, writes the two numbers on paper with a gap between them, and draws the right sign in the gap. Then read the sentence aloud. Swap roles and make a trickier pair.
Practice
1
Which sign fits: 13 __ 10? Use the picture to count.
>
2
Which sign fits: 11 __ 14?
<
3
Read aloud: 9 < 15.
Nine is less than fifteen.
4
Write > or < in the blank: 6 __ 12.
<
5
In 14 > 7, which number does the open side face?
14