We have used the symbols <, >, and = to compare numbers.  We can also use the symbols < and > to compare.

  > is read greater than or equal to

                            < is read less than or equal to

The following are called inequalities:

                          a)  x < 4                             b)  x > 4

                            We read (a) as "x is less than or equal to 4".  

                            We read (b) as x is greater than 4".

When we think of the numbers that would represent x for example (a) we might think "what numbers are less than or equal to 4".  The numbers 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0 would represent x, as well as negative numbers to infinity.  

What about fractions or decimals in between all our integers?  They would also represent x.  For example, 3 1/2 and 1.754 are less than or equal to x.  

For example (b), every number above 4 would be part of our solution.  The number 4 itself would not work because we want the numbers greater than 4.

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