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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 mathematical writing, the less-than sign is typically placed between two values being compared and signifies that the first number is less than the second number. Examples of typical usage include 1⁄2 < 1 and −2 < 0. 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.

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