Thread by @swapnakpanda

How is Math.min() > Math.max() ?

A JavaScript 🧵

➊ Background

⬔ Try to execute below in console.

⇥ Math.min() > Math.max()

⬓ You will be surprised to see the result "true".

⬕ How can min() be more than max()? Is it weird?

Let's find out.

➋ Variadic Function

⬔ A function is called "variadic" when it can handle variable number of arguments.

⬕ Both Math.min() and Math.max() can handle any number of arguments including "Zero".

➌ How do they operate?

⬔ They try to find the minimum/maximum value among given arguments by comparing 2 consecutive arguments iteratively.

⬕ Comparison operation is performed between 2 arguments and, suitable value is carried over to compare with next argument.

➍ Zero or, One Argument

⬒ But, how are cases of "Zero" or, "One" argument handled? Because we do not have 2 values to compare between.

⬓ To handle "Zero" or, "One" argument cases, we need to have an initial comparant.

➎ Initial Comparant

⬒ Initial comparant has to be such a value which when compared to the first argument should always return the first argument.

⬓ In case of zero arguments, value of initial comparant is returned.

➎.➀ Initial Comparant for Math.min()

⬖ The comparison operation in Math.min() is "<"

⬘ So, initial comparant should never be "<" than the first argument.

⬗ Initial comparant has to be the highest possible number which is "Infinity"

➎.➁ Initial Comparant for Math.max()

⬖ The comparison operation in Math.min() is ">"

⬘ So, initial comparant should never be ">" than the first argument.

⬗ Initial comparant has to be the lowest possible number which is "-Infinity"

➏ Math.min() & Math.max() for "0" arguments

❑ For zero arguments, both returns the initial comparant.

⇥ Math.min() ⇨ Infinity
⇥ Math.max() ⇨ -Infinity

❒ So, now you got to know why

Math.min() > Math.max()

End of 🧵

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