The max and min functions

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Lesson Summary: 
We define the max and min functions here. The max function returns the largest number and the min function returns the smallest number.

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Lesson: 

Let's say that we have a set of real numbers <Sign in to see all the formulas>. The max function will return the largest number in the set and the min function will return the smallest number. The function <Sign in to see all the formulas> will return the largest number in the set and <Sign in to see all the formulas> will return the smallest number in the set.

Both functions can have many arguments. So our notation of <Sign in to see all the formulas> or <Sign in to see all the formulas> are both valid notations for two different max functions.

Some examples:

The notation max comes from the fact that it returns the largest or maximum value. Similarly, the notation min comes from the fact that it returns the smallest or minimum value.