Using only standard math operators (+, -, *, /) and functions (absolute value, square root, powers, and so on), give a function that calculates MAX(A,B,C).

Alternate version, for programmers only: using any language (BASIC, C, Excel, whatever) find the maximum of A, B, and C, but be careful when writing the program, because you cannot use the "" key, for it's broken (thus writing things like IF A>B is impossible...) and you cannot use the "M" key either, for it's also broken (...and writing H=MAX(A,B) is also not possible.)

The larger of two numbers (x and y) can be expressed as [x+y+abs(x-y)]/2
Similarily, the smaller of two numbers is [x+y-abs(x-y)]/2

Using these two formulas, formulas for the largest, smallest and median values can be formed:

Smallest = [[a + b - abs(b-a)]/2 + c - abs([a + b - abs(b-a)]/2 - c)]/2
Largest = [[a + b + abs(b-a)]/2 + c + abs([a + b + abs(b-a)]/2 - c)]/2
Median = a + b + c - Largest - Smallest 

Edited on April 22, 2004, 3:29 pm

Posted by Brian Smith on 2004-04-21 20:06:02