<P> The less - than sign is a mathematical symbol that denotes an inequality between two values . The widely adopted form of two equal - length strokes connecting in an acute angle at the left, <, has been found in documents dated as far back as the 1560s . In typical mathematical usage, the less - than sign is typically placed between the two values being compared and signals that the first number is less than the second number . Examples of typical usage include 1⁄2 <1 and − 2 <1 . Since the development of computer programming languages, the less - than sign and the greater - than sign have been repurposed for a range of uses and operations . </P> <P> The less - than sign (<) is an original ASCII character (hex 3C, decimal 60). </P>

What is the meaning of greater than and less than sign