C++ Program to find the Greatest of three numbers

September 28, 2022

Program to find the Greatest of Three Numbers in C++

Here we will discuss how to find the greatest of three numbers in C++ entered by the user in c++ programming language.

To find the greatest of three numbers if else-if statement is used along with ‘>’ ad ‘&&’ operator in the condition. 

c++ program to find greatest of three number

Methods discussed in the post –

  • Method 1: Using simple if-else conditions
  • Method 2: Using ternary operators
  • Method 3: Using inbuilt max functions

Method 1

Algorithm

For user inputs of numbers as first, second and third.

  • Step 1: Check if first number is greater than second and third
    • Print first is the greatest
  • Step 2: Check if second number is greater than first and third
    • Print second is the greatest
  • Step 3: Third number has to be greatest
    • Print third is the greatest

C++ Code

Run 
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main ()
{
    int first, second, third;
    first=10,second=20,third=30;
    
    //comparing first with other numbers
    if ((first >= second) && (first >= third))
        cout << first << " is the greatest "; 

    //comparing Second with other numbers 
    else if ((second >= first) && (second >= third))
        cout << second << " is the greatest";
    
    else
        cout << third << " is the greatest";
 
    return 0;
}
// Time complexity : O(1)
// Space complexity : O(1)

Output

30 is the greatest

Sum of numbers in a given range

Greatest of two numbers

Leap year or not

Prime number

Prime number within a given range

Method 2

Algorithm

For user inputs of numbers as first, second and third.

This method requires you know how ternary operator in C++ works

  • Step 1: Store the largest between first and second using ternary operator in variable temp
    •  temp = first > second ? first:second;
  • Step 2: Store the largest between temp and third using ternary operator in variable result
    • result = temp > third ? temp:third;
  • Step 3: Print value of result

C++ Code

Run 
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main ()
{
    int first, second, third;
    
    first=10,second=20,third=30;
    
    int temp, result;

    // find the largest bw first and second and store in temp
    temp = first > second ? first:second;
    
    // find the largest bw temp and third and finally printing it
    result = temp > third ? temp:third;
        
    // the above two ternary statements can be condensed into one ternary statement
    //result = third > (first > second ? first : second) ? third : ((first > second) ? first : second);
    
    cout << result << " is the largest";

 
    return 0;
}
// Time complexity : O(1)
// Space complexity : O(1)

Output

30 is the largest
While loop in C

Method 3

Algorithm

For user inputs of numbers as first, second and third.

This method uses internal inbuilt function max(a, b) which returns the larger value.

C++ Code

Run

#include <iostream>
#include <algorithm>
using namespace std;

int main ()
{
    int first, second, third;
    
    first=10,second=20,third=30;
    
    int result;

    result =  max(first,max(second, third));
    
    cout << result << " is the largest";

 
    return 0;
}

// Time complexity : O(1)
// Space complexity : O(1)

Output

30 is the largest
While loop in C

Prime Course Trailer

Related Banners

Get PrepInsta Prime & get Access to all 200+ courses offered by PrepInsta in One Subscription

Get Prime
Software Engineering SDLC