Program to find largest of three numbers - JavaScript

We are required to write a JavaScript function that takes in three or more numbers and returns the largest of those numbers.

For example: If the input numbers are ?

4, 6, 7, 2, 3

Then the output should be ?

7

Method 1: Using Math.max() with Spread Operator

The simplest approach is using the built-in Math.max() function with the spread operator:

const findLargest = (...nums) => {
    return Math.max(...nums);
};

console.log(findLargest(4, 6, 7, 2, 3));
console.log(findLargest(15, 8, 23, 1));
7
23

Method 2: Using Loop Iteration

For manual comparison, we can iterate through the numbers and track the maximum:

const findGreatest = (...nums) => {
    let max = -Infinity;
    for(let i = 0; i < nums.length; i++){
        if(nums[i] > max){
            max = nums[i];
        }
    }
    return max;
};

console.log(findGreatest(5, 6, 3, 5, 7, 5));
console.log(findGreatest(-10, -5, -20));
7
-5

Method 3: Using reduce() Method

We can also use the reduce() method for a functional programming approach:

const findLargestReduce = (...nums) => {
    return nums.reduce((max, current) => current > max ? current : max, -Infinity);
};

console.log(findLargestReduce(12, 45, 23, 67, 1));
console.log(findLargestReduce(3.5, 2.1, 9.8));
67
9.8

Handling Edge Cases

Here's how these methods handle special cases:

// Empty array
console.log(Math.max());  // -Infinity

// Single number
console.log(findLargest(42));

// Negative numbers
console.log(findLargest(-1, -5, -3));
-Infinity
42
-1

Comparison

Method Performance Readability Best For
Math.max() Fastest Highest General use
Loop iteration Good Medium Learning/custom logic
reduce() Slower High Functional programming

Conclusion

Use Math.max() with spread operator for the most efficient and readable solution. The loop method provides better understanding of the underlying logic for learning purposes.

Updated on: 2026-03-15T23:18:59+05:30

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