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Help with understanding some mathematical notation

a + max(b,0)

max(d, c, 0)

What do the above terms mean?

Thanks
Reply 1
Avatar for nuodai
nuodai
17
If SS is a set then max⁡S\max S means the biggest element in SS. So for example max⁡{1,9,2,4}=9\max \{ 1,9,2,4 \} = 9.

So when you see something like max⁡{0,a,b,c,d}\max \{ 0, a, b, c, d \} it means the "largest positive number out of a,b,c,d, or 0 if they're all negative", and so on.
(edited 13 years ago)
Reply 2
Avatar for Desert Eagle
Desert Eagle
OP
3
Original post by nuodai
If is a set then means the biggest element in . So for example .

So when you see something like it means the "smallest positive number out of a,b,c,d, or 0 if they're all negative", and so on.


Do you mean largest positive number?
Reply 3
Avatar for nuodai
nuodai
17
Original post by Desert Eagle
Do you mean largest positive number?


:biggrin: Yup.
Reply 4
Avatar for Desert Eagle
Desert Eagle
OP
3
What if i have:

max(0, -a)

max(-a, 0)

Is there a difference between the two? I don't understand the purpose of the '0'.
Reply 5
Avatar for SimonM
SimonM
18
Original post by Desert Eagle
What if i have:

max(0, -a)

max(-a, 0)

Is there a difference between the two? I don't understand the purpose of the '0'.


There is no difference. If a were positive, then -a would be negative and max(-a,0) would be 0. Otherwise max(-a,0) = -a
Reply 6
Avatar for Desert Eagle
Desert Eagle
OP
3
Original post by SimonM
There is no difference. If a were positive, then -a would be negative and max(-a,0) would be 0. Otherwise max(-a,0) = -a

Ah ok i see, thanks :smile:

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