If Functions In JavaScript

Hello again Daniel,

In this exercise, you want to create a dynamic piece of code that can be used to compare any two numbers. In order to do that, you need to use variables in the function instead of static numbers such as 1 and 2. I choose to use num1 and num2 because they make sense with the function (since you're comparing two numbers), but you could name them carrot and potato if you wanted (although that isn't too useful lol).

So, your function should start off as:

function max (num1, num2) {  
}

To setup the if statement for this challenge, take into account the logic: You want to return the larger number sent in to this function. So, one way to word your if statement is to check to see if num1 is greater than num2 and if so, return num1. Otherwise, return num2. You don't have to use an else here because once a function returns something, the function quits. So, we only have to put return num2 outside the if statement.

Here's all of that in action:

function max (num1, num2) {
//if the first number sent in is greater than the second
if (num1 > num2) {
//return the first number which also exits the function
return num1;
}
//if the if statement didn't go off that means that num2
//is the larger number
return num2;
}

There are actually more than a few ways to code this, but in my opinion, this is one of the simplest.

Just try to return comparison operation:

if( 1 > 2 ) return 1 if( 1 < 2 ) return 2 or if( 1 > 2 ) { return 1 } else { return 2 }

But it's "if" are not the only one case to solve this quizz.

You dont want to put the values 1 & 2 into the function like you have. The point of a function is that it is reusable so later down the road when you want to compare two different numbers again you dont have to write a different function.

So, where you now have 1 & 2 you need to put variables. They can be anything but it makes sense to put something simple. Let's say 'a' and then 'b'.... Or do 'Bert' and 'Ernie'

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

So, when you call the function (below) you 'PASS' two values. max(1, 2)

'1' is where the 'a' spot is. '2' is where the b spot is in the function it sends them to the function and compares them in the if statement.

when we call it again..

max(156, 278)

it uses the same function with new numbers passed in.

here's it is with bert and ernie :)

function max(bert, ernie) {
  if (bert > ernie) {
    return bert
  } else {
    return ernie
  }
}

Ok Daniel, I'll try to explain.

If is conditional statement. For example you can say: if this is this then do this, or if this is that do that, and if this is not either of that two pervious things do something third.

Let's break your task to segments:

1. Create a new function named max() which accepts two numbers as arguments.

What you need to write here is:

function max (numberOne, numberTwo)  {

}

In this case numberOne is first argument and numberTwo is second argument

1. The function should return the larger of the two numbers. You'll need to use a conditional statement to test the 2 numbers to see which one is larger

Now you need to use if statement to say your function what to do if numberOne is larger and what to do if numberTwo is larger. You do that like this

if (numberOne > numberTwo) {
   return numberOne
} else {
   return numberTwo
}

What we said here is: if numberOne is larger then numberTwo return me numberOne, else return numberTwo because numberTwo is larger in that case

So your whole code should look like this

function max(numberOne, numberTwo) {
  if (numberOne > numberTwo) {
    return numberOne;
  } else {
    return numberTwo;
  }
}

You dont want to put the values 1 & 2 into the function like you have. The point of a function is that it is reusable so later down the road when you want to compare to different numbers you dont have to write a different function.

So, where you now have 1 & 2 you need to put variables. They can be anything but it makes sense to put something simple. Let's say 'a' and then 'b'.... Or do 'Bert' and 'Ernie'

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

So, when you call the function (below) you 'PASS' two values.

max(1, 2)

'1' is where the 'a' spot is. '2' is where the b spot is in the function it sends them to the function and compares them in the if statement.

when we call it again..

max(156, 278)

it uses the same function with new numbers passed in.

here's it is with bert and ernie :)

function max(bert, ernie) {
  if (bert > ernie) {
    return bert;
  } else {
    return ernie;
  }
}

Ok thank you guys that does help explain it all in a much simpler way!

How would I go about calling those if functions? Could I write it like alert( num1, num2 );? Or is there a more proper way of calling it?

So would this be correct?

function max( num1, num2 ) {
if (num1>num2)
  return num1;
  if (num1<num2)
    return num2;
}
alert( max('num1,num2') );

Oh ok. Thank you Marcus! I'm going to have to remember that. I keep confusing strings and numbers when calling functions.