Is it greater than less than or equal?
Type two numbers. The greater than less than calculator compares them exactly, writes the sign between them, and shows how far apart they are.
- Comparison
- 3/4 > 0.7
3/4 is greater than 0.7.
- Sign
- >
- In words
- 3/4 is greater than 0.7
- Difference (first − second)
- 1/20
- Difference (decimal)
- 0.05
Comparison: 3/4 > 0.7. 3/4 is greater than 0.7.
How to calculate
Compares two numbers, decimals, negatives or fractions exactly and writes the right sign: greater than (>), less than (<) or equal (=), with the difference.
Example with the default inputs (First number 3/4, Second number 0.7): 3/4 is greater than 0.7.
Method: Read both numbers as exact fractions and compare: a > b when a − b is positive, a < b when it is negative, and a = b when it is 0.
- A decimal is read exactly as typed; a mixed number w a/b is w + a/b (with the sign on the whole).
- A comma between digits is a thousands separator in groups of three (1,234); any other comma gives no answer.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- First number 3/4, Second number 0.7 gives Comparison 3/4 > 0.7, Sign >, In words 3/4 is greater than 0.7, Difference (first − second) 1/20, Difference (decimal) 0.05.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §5.1 Decimals (order decimals by place value), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/5-1-decimals (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- First number -5, Second number -2 gives Comparison −5 < −2, Sign <, Difference (first − second) −3.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §3.1 Introduction to Integers (a < b when a is to the left of b on the number line), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/3-1-introduction-to-integers (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- First number 2/4, Second number 0.5 gives Comparison 2/4 = 0.5, Sign =, In words 2/4 is equal to 0.5, Difference (first − second) 0, Difference (decimal) 0.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §5.1 Decimals (order decimals by place value), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/5-1-decimals (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- First number 0.45, Second number 0.405 gives Sign >, Difference (first − second) 9/200.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §5.1 Decimals (order decimals by place value), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/5-1-decimals (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- First number 1 1/3, Second number 1,234 gives Sign <, Difference (first − second) −1232 2/3.Source: OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, §3.1 Introduction to Integers (a < b when a is to the left of b on the number line), https://openstax.org/books/prealgebra-2e/pages/3-1-introduction-to-integers (retrieved 2026-10-05)
How it works
- Read each number exactly: a whole number, a decimal (
0.7,.5), a fraction (3/4) or a mixed number (1 1/3= 1 + 1/3;-1 1/3= −(1 + 1/3)). A comma is allowed only as a thousands separator in groups of three before the point (1,234.5). A true minus sign (−) reads as a minus. A leading plus sign (+5,+1/2) and a trailing point (5.) are allowed, and the number is shown as typed. A fraction with a bottom of 0, or any other text, gives no answer. - Compare. d = first − second. If d > 0, the sign is
>; if d < 0,<; if d = 0,=. - Show. The comparison writes each number as typed (a leading minus as −, runs of spaces as one space) with the sign between them. The difference is shown as an exact fraction in lowest terms, as a mixed number when it is bigger than 1 (
−1232 2/3), and as a decimal rounded half up to 12 significant figures (in exponent form, such as 5e−400, below 0.000001).
Worked examples by hand
3/4 and 0.7. 3/4 = 0.75; 0.75 − 0.7 = 0.05 = 1/20 > 0, so 3/4 > 0.7.
−5 and −2. −5 − (−2) = −3 < 0, so −5 < −2.
2/4 and 0.5. 2/4 = 1/2 = 0.5; the difference is 0, so 2/4 = 0.5.
0.45 and 0.405. 0.450 − 0.405 = 0.045 = 9/200 > 0, so 0.45 > 0.405.
1 1/3 and 1,234. 4/3 − 1234 = (4 − 3702)/3 = −3698/3 = −1232 2/3 < 0, so 1 1/3 < 1,234.
Other questions people ask
What do the greater than and less than signs mean?
> means "is greater than" and < means "is less than". The wide, open side faces the larger number: 5 > 3 and 3 < 5.
How do I compare negative numbers?
The number further left on the number line is smaller. −5 < −2, even though 5 is more than 2.
How do I compare a fraction and a decimal?
Write the fraction as a decimal: 3/4 = 0.75, which is more than 0.7, so 3/4 > 0.7.
Is 0.45 greater than 0.405?
Yes. Both have 4 tenths; in the hundredths 5 > 0, so 0.45 > 0.405. More digits do not make a decimal bigger.
When are two numbers equal?
When their difference is 0, even if they are written differently: 2/4 = 1/2 = 0.5.
Can I type commas?
Yes, as thousands separators in groups of three: 1,234 is one number. A comma anywhere else, as in 1,5, gives a message.