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JavaScript JavaScript Basics (Retired) Creating Reusable Code with Functions Create a max() Function

Posted by Christian Catalanotto
Christian Catalanotto
876 Points

How do I test to determine which of the two arguments is greater without leaving the function?

I'm not sure how to fit the conditional statement inside of the function, or what that statement should even look like.

script.js 
function max(1, 2){

}

2 Answers

Chris Pulver
Chris Pulver
7,624 Points
Chris Pulver
Chris Pulver
7,624 Points

An if statement looks like this:

if(some condition) {
  //do something
}

You can place if statements inside a function block (the two curly braces). It will check the condition once the function is called (e.g. max(input1, input2)).

Chris Pulver
Chris Pulver
7,624 Points

Also, just noticed your parameters (1, 2). You should make those non numeric.

Christian Catalanotto
Christian Catalanotto
876 Points

The question is asking me to compare two numbers inside a function and return the larger

Chris Pulver
Chris Pulver
7,624 Points

Ok, so first you have your function:

function max (x, y) {
}

You can name the parameters whatever you'd like, just not a number. Inside the function you have your if statement:

if (x > y) {
}

You need to use the same variables so that it references back to the function parameters. If you need to return a value, you use the return keyword:

if (x > y) {
   return x;
}

So your full function would look like this:

function max (x, y) {
   if (x > y) {
      return x;
   }
}

To compare two values, you enter your arguments when the function is called:

max(1, 2);

In this example, the program is replacing x with 1 and y with 2:

function max (1, 2) {
   if (1 > 2) {
      return 1;
   }
}

Since it's frowned upon to give full answers, I'll let you figure out how to return y if it is larger than x. A hint is that right now the function doesn't know what else to do if the first condition is not met.

Matthew Lestina
PLUS
Matthew Lestina
Courses Plus Student 122 Points
Matthew Lestina
Matthew Lestina
Courses Plus Student 122 Points

Here is how I would do it:

function max (x, y) {
   if (x > y) {
      return x;
   }
else {
return y;
}
}