4 Ways in Python to Get Max of Two Numbers

In this article, we will see how to get the max of two numbers in Python. We have four possible ways to get a maximum of two numbers. We will learn all four methods one by one. I hope you all know that the built-in function is available to get a maximum of two numbers in python. But as python programmers, we have to know the possible ways to do a program without a built-in function. We will also learn about the built-in function and some general methods without using the built-in function. Let us start.

Maximum between two numbers is calculated in python using four different methods. The first one is using a conditional statement, if-else condition to check the maximum element. Secondly, using a built-in function, max(), to get the largest element. Thirdly, by using the ternary operator. And the last method is the lambda function. 

Method 1: Using if-else statement to get max of two numbers in python

if-else is one of the decision-making statements in python. It will check the given condition. If the condition is satisfied, it will return the if part statement. Otherwise, it will return else part statement.

Code

a=int(input("Enter a number: "))
b=int(input("Enter a number: "))
if a>b:
    print(f'{a} is a maximum number')
else:
    print(f'{b} is a maximum number')

This program will get the two inputs from the user to get a maximum element from the given inputs. In an, if statement we are giving a condition like if a>b, print this statement. If not, print the else statement. So it will take the input and print the result after checking with a given condition.

Output

Enter a number: 3
Enter a number: 8
8 is a maximum number

Method 2: Using the max function to get max of two numbers in python

max is a built-in function in python, and that is useful to get the maximum element from the given elements.

Syntax

max(element1,element2)

Parameters

  • element1: first element
  • element2: second element

Returns

maximum element

Code

def maximum(a,b):
    num=max(a,b)
    return num
a=50
b=30
print(f'{maximum(a,b)} is a maximum number')

Creating a function named maximum, and the parameters are a and b. Using a max function to get the larger element. Giving a value of a and b. I always prefer the formatted function to print the result to understand what the program performs without seeing the code.

Output

50 is a maximum number

Method 3: Using the ternary operator to get max of two numbers in python

The ternary operator is also known as the conditional operator. This operator is useful to check the condition in a single line.

Syntax

[on_true] if [expression] else [on_false] 

Code

a=int(input("Enter a number: "))
b=int(input("Enter a number: "))
print(f'{a if a >= b else b} is a maximum number')

First, get the inputs from the user. Using the ternary operator to get the maximum element from the given numbers.

Output

Enter a number: 40
Enter a number: 75
75 is a maximum number

Method 4: Using lambda function to get max of two numbers in python

A lambda is an anonymous function, and it takes any number of arguments. But the expression is only one.

Syntax

lambda arguments : expression

Code

a=int(input("Enter a number: "))
b=int(input("Enter a number: "))
maximum = lambda a,b:a if a > b else b
print(f'{maximum(a,b)} is a maximum number')

First, get the inputs from the user. Using the lambda function to get the maximum element from the given numbers.

Output

Enter a number: 34
Enter a number: 98
98 is a maximum number

Bonus: How to get a maximum between three numbers

def maximum(a,b,c):
    num=max(a,b,c)
    return num
a=50
b=30
c=80
print(f'{maximum(a,b,c)} is a maximum number')

Creating a function named maximum and the parameters are a, b, and c. Using a max function to get the larger element. Giving a value of a, b, and c. I always prefer the formatted function to print the result to understand what the program performs without seeing the code.

Output

80 is a maximum number
1. In which version of python conditional operator is introduced?

The conditional operator is introduced in a version of 2.5

2. How many arguments does the lambda function takes?

Lambda function takes only one expression.

Conclusion

Here we came to the end of the article. Now we have completely learned about how to get the maximum elements from the given two numbers. We learned all the possible ways to get the maximum element in python.

We hope this article is easy to understand. In case of any queries, feel free to ask in the comment section.

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Alain
Alain
2 years ago

There is a 5th method:
a=50;b=30;max=[a,b][b>a] ;print(f'{max} is a maximum number’)

Pratik Kinage
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Alain

Great, that’s one way of doing it!