< (less-than sign)

The less than relational operator.

Syntax

• a < b

  • a and b are real numbers

• u < v

  • u and v are real vectors of the same dimension

• A < B

  • A and B are real matrices of the same size

• t < s

  • t and s are date or datetime structures

Description

• If a and b are real numbers, then a < b is true iff a is less than b. No epsilons are used. Hence, even if a and b are essentially equal, a < b might be true. For example, sin(π) < 0 might or might not be true.

• If u and v are real vectors of the same dimension, then u < v is true iff every component of u is less than the corresponding component of v. No epsilons are used.

• If A and B are real matrices of the same size, then A < B is true iff every entry of A is less than the corresponding entry of B. No epsilons are used.

• If t and s are date or datetime structures, then t < s is true iff t denotes an earlier point in time than s.

The < operator is implemented by the LessThan function.

Examples

17/53 < 73/220

true

❨❨6, 3, 1❩, ❨1, 0, 3❩❩ < ❨❨10, 10, 10❩, ❨10, 10, 10❩❩

true

yesterday() < today()

true

See also

• =

• ≈

• ≠

• ≤

• >

• ≥