Using the Language of Algebra

Inequality

\( \text{a < b is read "a is less than b" a is to the left of b on the number line} \)

\( \text{a > b is read "a is greater than b" a is to the right of b on the number line}\)

The expressions \(a < b\) or \(a > b\) can be read from left to right or right to left, though in English we usually read from left to right (Table 1.3). In general, \(a < b\) is equivalent to \(b > a\). For example \(7 < 11\) is equivalent to \(11 > 7\). And \(a > b\) is equivalent to \(b < a\). For example \(17 > 4\) is equivalent to \(4 < 17\).

Source: OpenStax, https://openstax.org/books/elementary-algebra/pages/1-2-use-the-language-of-algebra
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