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Advanced clue

This value is smaller

Also known in the clue library as Less than (quantitative).

less-than
Clue pattern
A has a smaller ordered value than B.
What to mark first
Eliminate impossible extremes first, but reversed.
Common mistake
Forgetting that the smallest value can never satisfy the larger side of the clue.
Mini-example
Mina finished earlier than Theo.
Print-book tip
Draw a tiny less-than arrow in the margin if the direction keeps flipping in your head.

When and where this clue pays off

Two questions matter more than the pattern itself: does this clue give you everything now, or only later — and does it become a mark on the board, or a note you have to keep separately?

Builds as the board fills in

Same shape as greater-than, reversed. The extremes go first, and the middle narrows as the category fills.

Marks the board directly

Every stage of this clue is a mark on the board.

Techniques that use this clue

Reading the clue is half the job. These are the methods that turn it into board progress.

Put it to work

See this clue type on a live board, or go back and browse the rest of the library.

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