The Mathematical Symbol "Greater-Than Sign (>)"

The > Symbol in Mathematics: Greater-Than Sign

One of the foundational symbols in mathematics and programming alike, the > symbol, also known as the "Greater-Than Sign", is used to indicate that a value is larger than another.

Usage

The primary function of the > sign is to compare two numbers. When placed between two values, it conveys that the value on its left is greater than the value on its right. It's a fundamental relation in orderings, arithmetic, algebra, and countless other mathematical domains.

Examples

  • Example 1: Basic Arithmetic:
    When comparing the numbers 5 and 3, we can denote that five is greater than three by writing it as \( 5 > 3 \).
  • Example 2: Algebraic Inequalities:
    Consider an equation where \( x \) is a variable: \( x + 2 > 7 \). This inequality expresses that whatever the value of \( x \) might be, when you add 2 to it, the result will be greater than 7.

To summarize, the > symbol is pivotal for expressing relations of magnitude between numbers, variables, or mathematical expressions. Its presence is ubiquitous across mathematics and even extends to computer programming, where it's often used in conditional statements and loops.

Mathematical symbol 'Greater-Than Sign'

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Codes for the > Symbol

The Symbol>
Alt CodeAlt 62
HTML Code>
HTML Entity>
CSS Code\003E
Hex Code>
UnicodeU+003E

How To Insert the > Symbol

(Method 1) Copy and paste the symbol.

The easiest way to get the > symbol is to copy and paste it into your document.

Bear in mind that this is a UTF-8 encoded character. It must be encoded as UTF-8 at all stages (copying, replacing, editing, pasting), otherwise it will render as random characters or the dreaded �.

(Method 2) Use the "Alt Code."

If you have a keyboard with a numeric pad, you can use this method. Simply hold down the Alt key and type 62. When you lift the Alt key, the symbol appears. ("Num Lock" must be on.)

(Method 3) Use the HTML Decimal Code (for webpages).

HTML TextOutput
<b>My symbol: &#62;</b>My symbol: >

(Method 4) Use the HTML Entity Code (for webpages).

HTML TextOutput
<b>My symbol: &gt;</b>My symbol: >

(Method 5) Use the CSS Code (for webpages).

CSS and HTML TextOutput
<style>
span:after {
content: "\003E";}
</style>
<span>My symbol:</span> 		My symbol: >

(Method 6) Use the HTML Hex Code (for webpages and HTML canvas).

HTML TextOutput
<b>My symbol: &#x003E;</b>My symbol: >
On the assumption that you already have your canvas and the context set up, use the Hex code in the format 0x003E to place the > symbol on your canvas. For example:
JavaScript Text
const x = "0x"+"E9"
ctx.fillText(String.fromCodePoint(x), 5, 5);
Output

>

(Method 7) Use the Unicode (for various, e.g. Microsoft Office, JavaScript, Perl).

The Unicode for > is U+003E. The important part is the hexadecimal number after the U+, which is used in various formats. For example, in Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, PowerPoint), do the following:
TypeOutput
003E
[Hold down Alt]
[Press x]		>
(The 003E turns into >. Note that you can omit any leading zeros.)
In JavaScript, the syntax is \uXXXX. So, our example would be \u003E. (Note that the format is 4 hexadecimal characters.)
JavaScript TextOutput
let str = "\u003E"
document.write("My symbol: " + str)		My symbol: >