Grade 6 · Maths · Lessons
More than, less than
➡️ray⭕open circle⚫closed circle🔢inequality
More than, less than.The big ideaAn inequality names a whole set of answers. A shaded ray shows them all.
How it works
An inequality names a whole set of answers. A shaded ray shows them all.
x < 2 means x is less than 2: the ray starts at 2 and points left. An open circle means 2 itself is not included.
'Fewer than 8 pages' is p < 8.
Example 1: The start of the ray
- x < 2.
- The ray starts at 2.
- It points left to show less than 2.
Example 2: Write it
- Sam read fewer than 8 pages. Let p be the pages he read.
- Fewer than means less than.
- p < 8.
Example 3: A temperature
- It is colder than 3 degrees above zero. Let t be the temperature.
- Colder means less than.
- t < 3.
Words to know
- inequality
- A statement that one amount is more or less than another.
- ray
- A line that starts at a point and goes on forever.
Watch out
- Open circle means not included.
- The ray points toward the answers.
- Fewer than means less than.
Try it
- Write: 'more than 5' using x.
- Write: 'less than 10' using n.
- Does x < 4 include 4?
- Which way does the ray for x > 3 point?
Answers: 1. x > 5 · 2. n < 10 · 3. no · 4. right
For grown-upsSay rules like 'you must be taller than 120 cm' and write them as inequalities.