How to find minimum between 2 numbers using C#?

Finding the minimum between two numbers in C# can be accomplished using several approaches. The most common methods include using conditional statements like if-else or utilizing built-in methods like Math.Min().

Using if-else Statement

The traditional approach uses an if-else statement to compare two numbers and determine the smaller value −

using System;

class Program {
   static void Main(string[] args) {
      int num1 = 50;
      int num2 = 90;
      int minNum;
      
      Console.WriteLine("Number 1: " + num1);
      Console.WriteLine("Number 2: " + num2);
      
      if (num1 

The output of the above code is −

Number 1: 50
Number 2: 90
Minimum number is: 50


Using Math.Min() Method

C# provides the built-in Math.Min() method which directly returns the smaller of two values. This is the most efficient and concise approach −

using System;

class Program {
   static void Main(string[] args) {
      int num1 = 35;
      int num2 = 55;
      
      Console.WriteLine("Number 1: " + num1);
      Console.WriteLine("Number 2: " + num2);
      
      int minNum = Math.Min(num1, num2);
      Console.WriteLine("Minimum number is: " + minNum);
   }
}


The output of the above code is −

Number 1: 35
Number 2: 55
Minimum number is: 35


Using Ternary Operator

The ternary operator provides a compact way to find the minimum in a single line −

using System;

class Program {
   static void Main(string[] args) {
      double num1 = 25.5;
      double num2 = 18.3;
      
      Console.WriteLine("Number 1: " + num1);
      Console.WriteLine("Number 2: " + num2);
      
      double minNum = (num1 

The output of the above code is −

Number 1: 25.5
Number 2: 18.3
Minimum number is: 18.3


Comparison of Approaches

Conclusion

The Math.Min() method is the recommended approach for finding the minimum between two numbers in C# due to its simplicity and built-in optimization. The if-else statement remains useful for educational purposes and when additional logic is required alongside the comparison.