Python Program to Find Smallest and Largest Number

This article covers the Python program for finding the smallest and largest numbers among the given list of numbers with explanations and examples.

1. Using min() and max() Functions

The min() and max() functions are built-in Python functions used to find the smallest and largest values from a given set of numbers, lists, or iterables.

min() and max() functions work for both integer and float numbers.

min() function:

Syntax:

min(iterable) # Returns the smallest value from an iterable
min(a, b, c, …) # Returns the smallest among multiple argumentsCode language: Python (python)

For Example:

print(min(5, 10, 2, 8)) # Output: 2
print(min([4, 1, 7, 3])) # Output: 1
print(min("apple", "banana", "cherry")) # Output: "apple" (based on alphabetical order)Code language: Python (python)

max() function:

Syntax:

max(iterable) # Returns the largest value from an iterable
max(a, b, c, …) # Returns the largest among multiple argumentsCode language: Python (python)

For Example:

print(max(5, 10, 2, 8)) # Output: 10
print(max([4, 1, 7, 3])) # Output: 7
print(max("apple", "banana", "cherry")) # Output: "cherry" (alphabetical order)Code language: Python (python)

Code Example

num1 = 30.5
num2 = 10
num3 = -20

smallest = min(num1, num2, num3)
largest = max(num1, num2, num3)

print(f"Smallest: {smallest}, Largest: {largest}")

# from list of numbers

numbers = [5, 10, 75, 2, 225]

smallest = min(numbers)
largest = max(numbers)

print(f"Smallest: {smallest}, Largest: {largest}")Code language: Python (python)

Output:

Smallest: -20, Largest: 30.5
Smallest: 2, Largest: 225

2. Using Conditional Statements (if-else)

Conditional statements in Python control flow of execution based on given conditions. They allow the program to make decisions and execute different blocks of code depending on whether a condition is True or False.

Syntax:

if condition1:
    # this Code executes if condition1 is True
elif condition2:
    # this Code executes <em>if condition2 is True
</em>else:
    # this Code executes if none of the above conditions are TrueCode language: Python (python)

Code Example

num1 = 30.5
num2 = 10
num3 = -20

def find_smallest(num1, num2, num3):
    # Finding the smallest
    if num1 < num2 and num1 < num3:
        smallest = num1
    elif num2 < num3:
        smallest = num2
    else:
        smallest = num3
    return smallest

def find_largest(num1, num2, num3):
    # Finding the largest
    if num1 > num2 and num1 > num3:
        largest = num1
    elif num2 > num3:
        largest = num2
    else:
        largest = num3
    return largest

smallest = find_smallest(num1, num2, num3)
largest = find_largest(num1, num2, num3)

print(f"Smallest: {smallest}, Largest: {largest}")

# Output:
# Smallest: -20, Largest: 30.5Code language: Python (python)

Explanation

• We have defined two functions, find_smallest() function to find the minimum value and find_largest() function to find the maximum value.
• find_smallest() function:
  • Compares num1 with num2 and num3.
  • If num1 is the smallest, it is returned.
  • Otherwise, it checks if num2 is smaller than num3, then num2 is returned.
  • If neither of those conditions is met, num3 is the smallest.
• find_largest() function:
  • Checks if num1 is greater than both num2 and num3, then it is the largest.
  • Otherwise, if num2 is greater than num3, num2 is the largest.
  • Otherwise, num3 is the largest.

3. Using sorting

Sorting is the process of arranging elements in a specific order, typically ascending (smallest to largest) or descending (largest to smallest). Sorting is done using sort() function to arrange the list of numbers in ascending order, allowing easy retrieval of the smallest (numbers[0]) and largest (numbers[-1]) values.

The sort() function is a built-in list method in Python that sorts the elements of a list in place, meaning it modifies the original list instead of creating a new one.

Syntax: list.sort(key=None, reverse=False)

• key (Optional) → A function that specifies sorting criteria (e.g., length, absolute value).
• reverse (Optional) → If True, sorts in descending order; default is False (ascending).

Code Example

num1 = 30.5
num2 = 10
num3 = -20

numbers = [num1, num2, num3]    # Add numbers into list
numbers.sort()  # Sorting the list in ascending order
smallest = numbers[0]
largest = numbers[-1]

print(f"Smallest: {smallest}, Largest: {largest}")

# Output:
# Smallest: -20, Largest: 30.5Code language: Python (python)

Explanation

• Here, we add the numbers to the list to find the smallest and largest among them.
• Then, we sort that list in ascending order using sort() function on the list.
• The first element after sorting (numbers[0]) is the smallest, and the last element (numbers[-1]) is the largest.
• This method is easy to understand but slightly slower due to the overhead of sorting.