I think your question is how to tell which number is bigger in the statement x \gt y .

Note that the pointy end always points to the smaller number. You can write this statement as either x is greater than y or y is less than x .

The literal translation of x \gt y is x is greater than y .

\gt is greater than.

\lt is less than.

< = less than

>= greater than

< with a line on the bottom =less than or equal to

> with a line on the bottom= greater than or equal to