What is "less than" in simple math terms?

📚 Understanding "Less Than"

In simple math terms, "less than" means one number has a smaller value than another number. It's used to compare two numbers and show that one is smaller. The symbol used to represent "less than" is <.

📜 A Brief History

The "less than" symbol (<) was introduced by Thomas Harriot, an English astronomer, mathematician, and ethnographer, in his unpublished notes. It gained popularity and became a standard mathematical notation in the 17th century.

🔢 Key Principles

• 🔍 Definition: "Less than" indicates that a number is smaller in value than another.
• ⚖️ Comparison: It always involves comparing two numbers.
• ✍️ Symbol: The symbol < is used to denote "less than". For example, $5 < 10$ means 5 is less than 10.
• 💡 Number Line: On a number line, a number that is "less than" another will be to the left of it.

🌍 Real-World Examples

Let's look at some everyday situations where "less than" comes into play:

1. Age: If Sarah is 10 years old and Tom is 15 years old, then Sarah's age is less than Tom's age ($10 < 15$).
2. Temperature: If the temperature today is 20°C and yesterday it was 25°C, then today's temperature is less than yesterday's temperature ($20 < 25$).
3. Money: If you have $5 and your friend has $10, then the amount of money you have is less than the amount your friend has ($5 < 10$).

➕ Using "Less Than" in Equations

"Less than" can be used in simple equations and inequalities. For example:

• 📝 If $x < 7$, it means $x$ can be any number smaller than 7 (e.g., 6, 5, 0, -1).
• ➗ If $y < 0$, it means $y$ is a negative number.

📊 Table of Comparison Operators

💡 Conclusion

Understanding "less than" is a fundamental concept in mathematics. It helps us compare numbers and understand their relative values. With the symbol <, we can easily express relationships between numbers and apply them in various real-world scenarios.