The symbol '<' denotes which relation?

The symbol '<' denotes which relation?

• A. less than
• B. greater than
• C. equal to
• D. greater than or equal to

Answer: (A)

The symbol is used to compare two numbers and shows that the value on the left is smaller than the value on the right. It represents a strict inequality, meaning the two numbers cannot be equal. For example, 3 < 9 is true because 3 is less than 9, while 9 < 3 is false and 5 < 5 is also false because the numbers would be equal. This is different from other comparison signs: greater than means the left side is bigger, equal to means both sides are the same, and greater than or equal to allows either being bigger or being equal.

The symbol is used to compare two numbers and shows that the value on the left is smaller than the value on the right. It represents a strict inequality, meaning the two numbers cannot be equal. For example, 3 < 9 is true because 3 is less than 9, while 9 < 3 is false and 5 < 5 is also false because the numbers would be equal.

This is different from other comparison signs: greater than means the left side is bigger, equal to means both sides are the same, and greater than or equal to allows either being bigger or being equal.