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

Richard Burdon
Richard Burdon
2,040 Points
Posted by Richard Burdon
Richard Burdon
2,040 Points

Hi Guys, How do I use conditional statements to return the highest value of two arguments within a function?

Some help would be much appreciated, I've tried a few ways but unable to work it out.

script.js 
function max(lower, upper); {
  var largest = upper > lower;
  if (largest > 5)
return largest;
}

1 Answer

Matt Brock
Matt Brock
28,330 Points
Matt Brock
Matt Brock
28,330 Points

The immediate issue breaking your code is the semicolon between the function's parameter list and opening bracket. If you remove that, the code runs without errors, but still doesn't achieve what you want. The function should take 2 integers and return whichever is bigger, so you could check if lower > upper and return the appropriate input argument based on that conditional. Here's what I'd recommend:

function max (a, b) {
  if (a > b) {
    return a;
  } else {
    return b;
  }
}

Or, using a tertiary operator (shorthand for a single conditional if statement):

function max (a, b) {
  return a > b ? a : b;
}

Or, use a super fancy ES6 arrow function:

var max = (a, b) => a > b ? a : b;