Lesson 4.6 · Write it
Largest of three
A functionPython or Java7 tests, 4 of them hidden
On a phone? Put the lines in order instead
Write a function that returns the largest of three whole numbers.
a,bandcare whole numbers that can be negative.- Two or all three may be equal. If the largest value appears more than once, return it.
Write a helper function that returns the larger of two numbers, and use it.
Only the number your function returns is checked.
def max_of_three(a: int, b: int, c: int) -> int
You cannot use these in this question:
- max()
- min()
- sorted()
This question is about writing the comparison yourself, so built-in max functions are not allowed.
Examples
Your function is tested on 7 cases: the 3 examples below, and 4 hidden ones that check the rules above.
- max_of_three(1, 2, 3) should return 3: the third is largest (rule 1)
- max_of_three(5, 5, 5) should return 5: all three equal (rule 2)
- max_of_three(9, 3, 7) should return 9: the first is largest (rule 1)
public static int maxOfThree(int a, int b, int c)
Running Java here comes later. You can put this answer's lines in order instead. You can still write your Java answer (it stays while this page is open) and compare it with our worked solution. Or try this exercise in Python.Checking whether Java answers can run here.
You cannot use these in this question:
- Math.max()
- Math.min()
- Collections.max()
- Collections.min()
This question is about writing the comparison yourself, so built-in max functions are not allowed.
Examples
Your function is tested on 7 cases: the 3 examples below, and 4 hidden ones that check the rules above.
- maxOfThree(1, 2, 3) should return 3: the third is largest (rule 1)
- maxOfThree(5, 5, 5) should return 5: all three equal (rule 2)
- maxOfThree(9, 3, 7) should return 9: the first is largest (rule 1)