Greater then Symbol Meaning, Examples

Explaining “Greater Than” Problems with Objects, Symbols, and Examples for Kids

Objective: kids understand the concept of “greater than” using everyday objects, symbols, and simple examples.

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1. Introduction to the “Greater Than” Symbol (>)

• Symbol: The “greater than” symbol looks like this: >.
• Meaning: When comparing two numbers or quantities, the open end of the symbol faces the larger number. This means that the number on the left is larger than the number on the right.

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2. Using Objects to Explain “Greater Than”

Example 1: Bananas

• Scenario: Let’s say we have two groups of bananas.
• Group A: 5 bananas
• Group B: 3 bananas

Visual Explanation:

• 🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨 (5 bananas)
• 🟨🟨🟨 (3 bananas)

Comparison:

• We can see that Group A has more bananas than Group B.
• Greater Than Statement: 5 > 3
• Explanation: Since Group A has 5 bananas and Group B has 3, we say 5 is greater than 3.

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Example 2: Apples

• Scenario: Imagine you have two baskets of apples.
• Basket A: 7 apples
• Basket B: 4 apples

Visual Explanation:

• 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 (7 apples)
• 🍎🍎🍎🍎 (4 apples)

Comparison:

• Greater Than Statement: 7 > 4
• Explanation: Because 7 apples are more than 4 apples, we say 7 is greater than 4.

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3. Practice Problems

Problem 1:

• Scenario: You have two groups of oranges.
• Group A: 6 oranges
• Group B: 2 oranges

Visual Explanation:

• 🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊 (6 oranges)
• 🍊🍊 (2 oranges)

Question: Is 6 greater than 2?

• Answer: Yes, 6 > 2.

Problem 2:

• Scenario: You have two piles of grapes.
• Pile A: 9 grapes
• Pile B: 5 grapes

Visual Explanation:

• 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 (9 grapes)
• 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 (5 grapes)

Question: Is 9 greater than 5?

• Answer: Yes, 9 > 5.

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4. Explaining with Symbols

• Comparison Rule: Always remember, the open side of the symbol > faces the larger number or group.
• Visual Tip: We can think of the “greater than” symbol as an alligator’s mouth that always wants to eat the bigger number.

Example with Symbols:

• 8 > 3 (The alligator’s mouth is open towards the 8 because it’s bigger.)
• 4 > 1 (The alligator’s mouth is open towards the 4 because it’s bigger.)

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1. Apples vs. Oranges

• 5 Apples: 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎
• 3 Oranges: 🍊🍊🍊
• Explanation: There are 5 apples and 3 oranges. Since 5 is more than 3, the apples are greater than the oranges.
• Conclusion: 🍎🍎🍎🍎🍎 > 🍊🍊🍊

2. Red Balloons vs. Blue Balloons

• 7 Red Balloons: 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈
• 4 Blue Balloons: 🎈🎈🎈🎈
• Explanation: There are 7 red balloons and 4 blue balloons. Since 7 is more than 4, the red balloons are greater than the blue balloons.
• Conclusion: 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 > 🎈🎈🎈🎈

3. Books

• 9 Books: 📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
• 6 Books: 📚📚📚📚📚📚
• Explanation: There are 9 books in one group and 6 books in another. Since 9 is more than 6, the first group of books is greater.
• Conclusion: 📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚 > 📚📚📚📚📚📚

4. Roses vs. Tulips

• 10 Roses: 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
• 2 Tulips: 🌷🌷
• Explanation: There are 10 roses and only 2 tulips. Since 10 is more than 2, the roses are greater than the tulips.
• Conclusion: 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 > 🌷🌷

5. Pencils vs. Erasers

• 8 Pencils: ✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️
• 5 Erasers: 🩹🩹🩹🩹🩹
• Explanation: There are 8 pencils and 5 erasers. Since 8 is more than 5, the pencils are greater than the erasers.
• Conclusion: ✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️✏️ > 🩹🩹🩹🩹🩹

6. Cookies vs. Candies

• 12 Cookies: 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪
• 8 Candies: 🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬
• Explanation: There are 12 cookies and 8 candies. Since 12 is more than 8, the cookies are greater than the candies.
• Conclusion: 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 > 🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬

7. Toy Cars vs. Toy Trains

• 14 Toy Cars: 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗
• 7 Toy Trains: 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂
• Explanation: There are 14 toy cars and 7 toy trains. Since 14 is more than 7, the toy cars are greater than the toy trains.
• Conclusion: 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗 > 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

8. Soccer Balls vs. Basketballs

• 6 Soccer Balls: ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽
• 4 Basketballs: 🏀🏀🏀🏀
• Explanation: There are 6 soccer balls and 4 basketballs. Since 6 is more than 4, the soccer balls are greater than the basketballs.
• Conclusion: ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽ > 🏀🏀🏀🏀

9. Ice Creams vs. Chocolates

• 11 Ice Creams: 🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦
• 3 Chocolates: 🍫🍫🍫
• Explanation: There are 11 ice creams and 3 chocolates. Since 11 is more than 3, the ice creams are greater than the chocolates.
• Conclusion: 🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦 > 🍫🍫🍫

10. Bananas vs. Apples

• 4 Bananas: 🍌🍌🍌🍌
• 2 Apples: 🍏🍏
• Explanation: There are 4 bananas and 2 apples. Since 4 is more than 2, the bananas are greater than the apples.
• Conclusion: 🍌🍌🍌🍌 > 🍏🍏

11. Candies vs. Chocolates

• 15 Candies: 🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬
• 10 Chocolates: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫
• Explanation: There are 15 candies and 10 chocolates. Since 15 is more than 10, the candies are greater than the chocolates.
• Conclusion: 🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬 > 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

12. Stars vs. Moons

• 20 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• 18 Moons: 🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙
• Explanation: There are 20 stars and 18 moons. Since 20 is more than 18, the stars are greater than the moons.
• Conclusion: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ > 🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙

13. Kites vs. Balls

• 7 Kites: 🪁🪁🪁🪁🪁🪁🪁
• 3 Balls: ⚽⚽⚽
• Explanation: There are 7 kites and 3 balls. Since 7 is more than 3, the kites are greater than the balls.
• Conclusion: 🪁🪁🪁🪁🪁🪁🪁 > ⚽⚽⚽

14. Trees vs. Flowers

• 13 Trees: 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳
• 10 Flowers: 🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼
• Explanation: There are 13 trees and 10 flowers. Since 13 is more than 10, the trees are greater than the flowers.
• Conclusion: 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 > 🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

15. Strawberries vs. Grapes

• 6 Strawberries: 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
• 5 Grapes: 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇
• Explanation: There are 6 strawberries and 5 grapes. Since 6 is more than 5, the strawberries are greater than the grapes.
• Conclusion: 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓 > 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇

16. Fish vs. Crabs

• 9 Fish: 🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟
• 3 Crabs: 🦀🦀🦀
• Explanation: There are 9 fish and 3 crabs. Since 9 is more than 3, the fish are greater than the crabs.
• Conclusion: 🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟 > 🦀🦀🦀

17. Clouds vs. Rainbows

• 12 Clouds: ☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️
• 9 Rainbows: 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈
• Explanation: There are 12 clouds and 9 rainbows. Since 12 is more than 9, the clouds are greater than the rainbows.
• Conclusion: ☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️ > 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

18. Blue Cars vs. Red Cars

• 5 Blue Cars: 🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙
• 2 Red Cars: 🚗🚗
• Explanation: There are 5 blue cars and 2 red cars. Since 5 is more than 2, the blue cars are greater than the red cars.
• Conclusion: 🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙 > 🚗🚗

19. Stars vs. Planets

• 18 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• 14 Planets: 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐
• Explanation: There are 18 stars and 14 planets. Since 18 is more than 14, the stars are greater than the planets.
• Conclusion: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ > 🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐🪐

20. Dogs vs. Cats

• 10 Dogs: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕
• 7 Cats: 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈
• Explanation: There are 10 dogs and 7 cats. Since 10 is more than 7, the dogs are greater than the cats.
• Conclusion: 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 > 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈

Here are more examples

Group 1: Fruits (Bananas, Apples, and Oranges)

1. Bananas and Apples:
   • Example: 3 bananas > 2 apples
   • Explanation: Imagine you have 3 bananas and 2 apples. Since 3 is greater than 2, 3 bananas are greater than 2 apples.
2. Oranges and Bananas:
   • Example: 5 oranges > 4 bananas
   • Explanation: With 5 oranges and 4 bananas, the 5 oranges are greater in quantity.
3. Apples and Oranges:
   • Example: 6 apples > 3 oranges
   • Explanation: If you have 6 apples and 3 oranges, 6 is greater than 3.
4. Bananas and Oranges:
   • Example: 7 bananas > 6 oranges
   • Explanation: Having 7 bananas means you have more than 6 oranges.
5. Oranges and Apples:
   • Example: 8 oranges > 7 apples
   • Explanation: 8 oranges are greater than 7 apples because 8 is a larger number.
6. Apples and Bananas:
   • Example: 9 apples > 8 bananas
   • Explanation: 9 apples are more than 8 bananas.
7. Bananas and Apples:
   • Example: 10 bananas > 9 apples
   • Explanation: 10 bananas are greater in quantity than 9 apples.
8. Oranges and Apples:
   • Example: 12 oranges > 10 apples
   • Explanation: If you have 12 oranges and 10 apples, the 12 oranges are greater.
9. Apples and Oranges:
   • Example: 15 apples > 13 oranges
   • Explanation: 15 apples are more than 13 oranges.
10. Bananas and Oranges:
    • Example: 20 bananas > 18 oranges
    • Explanation: 20 bananas are greater than 18 oranges.

Group 2: Toys (Cars, Dolls, Blocks)

11. Toy Cars and Dolls:
    • Example: 4 toy cars > 3 dolls
    • Explanation: If you have 4 toy cars and 3 dolls, 4 toy cars are greater in number.
12. Blocks and Toy Cars:
    • Example: 7 blocks > 5 toy cars
    • Explanation: 7 blocks are more than 5 toy cars.
13. Dolls and Blocks:
    • Example: 9 dolls > 6 blocks
    • Explanation: 9 dolls are greater in quantity than 6 blocks.
14. Toy Cars and Blocks:
    • Example: 12 toy cars > 10 blocks
    • Explanation: 12 toy cars are more than 10 blocks.
15. Blocks and Dolls:
    • Example: 15 blocks > 13 dolls
    • Explanation: 15 blocks are greater than 13 dolls.
16. Dolls and Toy Cars:
    • Example: 8 dolls > 7 toy cars
    • Explanation: 8 dolls are more than 7 toy cars.
17. Blocks and Toy Cars:
    • Example: 11 blocks > 9 toy cars
    • Explanation: 11 blocks are greater in number than 9 toy cars.
18. Toy Cars and Dolls:
    • Example: 13 toy cars > 11 dolls
    • Explanation: 13 toy cars are more than 11 dolls.
19. Blocks and Dolls:
    • Example: 18 blocks > 15 dolls
    • Explanation: 18 blocks are greater than 15 dolls.
20. Dolls and Blocks:
    • Example: 20 dolls > 19 blocks
    • Explanation: 20 dolls are more than 19 blocks.

Group 3: Stationery Items (Pencils, Erasers, Crayons)

21. Pencils and Erasers:
    • Example: 5 pencils > 4 erasers
    • Explanation: 5 pencils are greater than 4 erasers.
22. Crayons and Pencils:
    • Example: 7 crayons > 6 pencils
    • Explanation: 7 crayons are more than 6 pencils.
23. Erasers and Crayons:
    • Example: 9 erasers > 8 crayons
    • Explanation: 9 erasers are greater in number than 8 crayons.
24. Pencils and Crayons:
    • Example: 11 pencils > 10 crayons
    • Explanation: 11 pencils are more than 10 crayons.
25. Crayons and Erasers:
    • Example: 13 crayons > 12 erasers
    • Explanation: 13 crayons are greater than 12 erasers.
26. Erasers and Pencils:
    • Example: 15 erasers > 14 pencils
    • Explanation: 15 erasers are more than 14 pencils.
27. Crayons and Pencils:
    • Example: 16 crayons > 15 pencils
    • Explanation: 16 crayons are greater than 15 pencils.
28. Pencils and Erasers:
    • Example: 18 pencils > 17 erasers
    • Explanation: 18 pencils are more than 17 erasers.
29. Erasers and Crayons:
    • Example: 20 erasers > 19 crayons
    • Explanation: 20 erasers are greater than 19 crayons.
30. Crayons and Pencils:
    • Example: 22 crayons > 21 pencils
    • Explanation: 22 crayons are more than 21 pencils.

Group 4: Everyday Items (Cups, Plates, Spoons)

31. Cups and Plates:
    • Example: 6 cups > 5 plates
    • Explanation: 6 cups are greater in quantity than 5 plates.
32. Spoons and Cups:
    • Example: 8 spoons > 7 cups
    • Explanation: 8 spoons are more than 7 cups.
33. Plates and Spoons:
    • Example: 9 plates > 8 spoons
    • Explanation: 9 plates are greater than 8 spoons.
34. Cups and Spoons:
    • Example: 11 cups > 10 spoons
    • Explanation: 11 cups are more than 10 spoons.
35. Spoons and Plates:
    • Example: 13 spoons > 12 plates
    • Explanation: 13 spoons are greater than 12 plates.
36. Plates and Cups:
    • Example: 14 plates > 13 cups
    • Explanation: 14 plates are greater in number than 13 cups.
37. Cups and Spoons:
    • Example: 16 cups > 15 spoons
    • Explanation: 16 cups are more than 15 spoons.
38. Plates and Spoons:
    • Example: 18 plates > 17 spoons
    • Explanation: 18 plates are greater in number than 17 spoons.
39. Spoons and Cups:
    • Example: 19 spoons > 18 cups
    • Explanation: 19 spoons are more than 18 cups.
40. Cups and Plates:
    • Example: 21 cups > 20 plates
    • Explanation: 21 cups are greater than 20 plates.

Group 5: Animals (Cats, Dogs, Birds)

41. Cats and Dogs:
    • Example: 4 cats > 3 dogs
    • Explanation: 4 cats are greater than 3 dogs.
42. Birds and Cats:
    • Example: 6 birds > 5 cats
    • Explanation: 6 birds are more than 5 cats.
43. Dogs and Birds:
    • Example: 8 dogs > 7 birds
    • Explanation: 8 dogs are greater than 7 birds.
44. Cats and Birds:
    • Example: 10 cats > 9 birds
    • Explanation: 10 cats are more than 9 birds.
45. Birds and Dogs:
    • Example: 12 birds > 11 dogs
    • Explanation: 12 birds are greater than 11 dogs.

• The “greater than” symbol > is used to show that one number or quantity is larger than another.
• We can use everyday objects like bananas, apples, oranges, or grapes to help visualize this concept.
• Practice by comparing different groups of objects to reinforce the idea.