Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: A < B means A is less than B. A > B means A is greater than B.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:Inequality symbols are foundational in mathematics, programming, and engineering specifications. They appear in constraints, comparator logic, sorting, and conditional branching. A clear understanding prevents logic errors and misinterpretations in formulas and code.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:The symbol “<” reads “is less than,” and the symbol “>” reads “is greater than.” Thus A < B places A to the left of B on the number line, while A > B places A to the right of B. These relations are strict (not equal). Non-strict relations use “≤” or “≥”.
Step-by-Step Solution:
A < B → A is less than B (A comes before B on the number line).A > B → A is greater than B (A comes after B on the number line).If equality is allowed, use A ≤ B or A ≥ B accordingly.In code, “<” and “>” are typically the same, though some languages offer combined operators like “<=” and “>=”.Verification / Alternative check:Example: with A = 3 and B = 5, 3 < 5 is true, while 3 > 5 is false. Swapping values (A = 7, B = 2) reverses truth values accordingly.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:Mixing up “<” and “>” in compound conditions, and confusing strict versus non-strict inequalities, especially when handling boundary cases in algorithms.
Final Answer:A < B means A is less than B. A > B means A is greater than B.
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