def helper_parse_if(if_string : str):
    """
        Parses the if_string manually to test for equality between its
        members.

        >>> helper_parse_if("this == this")
        True
        >>> helper_parse_if("2>3")
        False
        >>> helper_parse_if("40 >= 40")
        True
    """
    try:
        if "!=" in if_string:
            spl = if_string.split("!=")
            return spl[0].strip() != spl[1].strip()
        if "==" in if_string:
            spl = if_string.split("==")
            return spl[0].strip() == spl[1].strip()
        if ">=" in if_string:
            spl = if_string.split(">=")
            return float(spl[0].strip()) >= float(spl[1].strip())
        if "<=" in if_string:
            spl = if_string.split("<=")
            return float(spl[0].strip()) <= float(spl[1].strip())
        if ">" in if_string:
            spl = if_string.split(">")
            return float(spl[0].strip()) > float(spl[1].strip())
        if "<" in if_string:
            spl = if_string.split("<")
            return float(spl[0].strip()) < float(spl[1].strip())
    except:
        return None
    return None