Use inequality symbols

Use inequality symbols

The statement 4 + 2 = 6 is

an equation; it states that two quantities are equal. The statement 4 ≠ 6

(read “4 is not equal to 6”) is an inequality, a statement that two quantities

are not equal. When two numbers are not equal, one must be less than the

other. The symbol < means “is less than.” For example,

8 < 9, -6 <, 15, -6 < – 1, and 0 < $\frac{4}{3}$ .

The symbol > means “is greater than.” For example,

12 > 5, 9 > -2, and $\frac{6}{5} > 0$ .

In each case, the symbol “points” toward the smaller number.