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The problem with the "<" and ">" symbols is that they are mis-named. The
names given them are about magnitudes ("less than" and "greater than") but
the actual function they serve is to indicate direction on a number line.
The names we give them are only appropriate when both numbers are on the
positive side of zero. If you look you will notice that the symbols taken
as arrow heads (vector heads) they always point toward the number nearer
negative infinity on the number line. The names (in English anyway) do a
real disservice.