{"id":594,"date":"2024-10-10T13:42:31","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T08:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/codexplained.in\/?p=594"},"modified":"2025-11-24T15:56:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T10:26:20","slug":"find-maximum-and-minimum-in-an-array","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/codexplained.in\/?p=594","title":{"rendered":"find maximum and minimum in an array"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n#include <stdio.h>\n\nint main() {\n    int n, i; \/\/ Declare variables for the number of elements and a loop counter\n    int max, min; \/\/ Variables to store the maximum and minimum values\n\n    \/\/ Ask the user for the number of elements in the array\n    printf("Enter the number of elements in the array: ");\n    scanf("%d", &n);\n\n    int array[n]; \/\/ Declare an array of size n\n\n    \/\/ Prompt the user to enter the array elements\n    printf("Enter the elements of the array:\\n");\n    for (i = 0; i < n; i++) {\n        printf("Element %d: ", i + 1);\n        scanf("%d", &array[i]); \/\/ Read each element into the array\n    }\n\n    \/\/ Initialize max and min with the first element of the array\n    max = min = array[0];\n\n    \/\/ Iterate through the array to find max and min\n    for (i = 1; i < n; i++) {\n        if (array[i] > max) {\n            max = array[i]; \/\/ Update max if the current element is greater\n        }\n        if (array[i] < min) {\n            min = array[i]; \/\/ Update min if the current element is smaller\n        }\n    }\n\n    \/\/ Display the results\n    printf("The maximum value in the array is: %d\\n", max);\n    printf("The minimum value in the array is: %d\\n", min);\n\n    return 0; \/\/ End of the program\n}\n<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n
Explanation of the Program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Include the Standard Library<\/strong>:\n
      \n
    • The line #include <stdio.h><\/code> allows the program to use standard input and output functions, like printf<\/code> and scanf<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Variable Declarations<\/strong>:\n
        \n
      • int n, i;<\/code>: Here, n<\/code> will hold the number of elements the user wants in the array, while i<\/code> is used as a loop counter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • int max, min;<\/code>: These variables will store the maximum and minimum values found in the array.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • User Input for Array Size<\/strong>:\n
          \n
        • The program prompts the user to enter the number of elements in the array:cCopy codeprintf(\"Enter the number of elements in the array: \");<\/code><\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • The input is read using scanf(\"%d\", &n);<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Array Declaration<\/strong>:\n
            \n
          • int array[n];<\/code>: This declares an array of integers, where the size is determined by user input.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Input Elements into the Array<\/strong>:\n
              \n
            • A for<\/code> loop prompts the user to enter each element:cCopy codefor (i = 0; i < n; i++) { printf(\"Element %d: \", i + 1); scanf(\"%d\", &array[i]); }<\/code><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • This loop runs from 0<\/code> to n-1<\/code>, reading and storing each element in the array.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Initialize Max and Min<\/strong>:\n
                \n
              • Both max<\/code> and min<\/code> are initialized to the first element of the array:cCopy codemax = min = array[0];<\/code><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • This sets a starting point for comparisons.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Finding Maximum and Minimum Values<\/strong>:\n
                  \n
                • A second for<\/code> loop goes through the array starting from the second element:cCopy codefor (i = 1; i < n; i++) { if (array[i] > max) { max = array[i]; \/\/ Update max if the current element is larger } if (array[i] < min) { min = array[i]; \/\/ Update min if the current element is smaller } }<\/code><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • For each element, the program checks if it’s greater than the current max<\/code> or less than the current min<\/code> and updates them accordingly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Display the Results<\/strong>:\n
                    \n
                  • The program prints the maximum and minimum values found in the array:cCopy codeprintf(\"The maximum value in the array is: %d\\n\", max); printf(\"The minimum value in the array is: %d\\n\", min);<\/code><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Program End<\/strong>:\n
                      \n
                    • Finally, the program returns 0<\/code>, indicating it finished successfully.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                      Example Output<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                      Here\u2019s how the program would interact with a user:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      User Input:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      Enter the number of elements in the array: 5
                      Enter the elements of the array:
                      Element 1: 34
                      Element 2: 12
                      Element 3: 45
                      Element 4: 7
                      Element 5: 28
                      <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
                      Program Output:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
                      maximum value in the array is: 45
                      The minimum value in the array is: 7<\/code><\/pre>\n