How do you find the maximum element in an array?

To find the maximum element in an array, you need to examine each element in the array and determine which one has the highest value. Here’s a step-by-step explanation with examples and code in multiple languages.

Step-by-Step Explanation

1. Initialize the Maximum Value: Start by assuming the first element of the array is the maximum value.
2. Iterate Through the Array: Go through each element in the array one by one.
3. Compare Each Element: For each element, check if it is greater than the current maximum value.
4. Update the Maximum Value: If you find a greater element, update the maximum value.
5. Finish the Iteration: After checking all elements, the maximum value will be the largest element in the array.

Example

Let’s find the maximum value in the following array: [4, 12, 7, 9, 1].

1. Initialize: Assume the maximum value is the first element, 4.
2. Iterate:

• Compare 4 with 12. Since 12 is greater, update the maximum to 12.
• Compare 12 with 7. No change since 12 is greater.
• Compare 12 with 9. No change since 12 is greater.
• Compare 12 with 1. No change since 12 is greater.

1. Result: The maximum value is 12.

Code Examples

Python

def find_maximum(arr):
    # Step 1: Assume the first element is the maximum
    max_value = arr[0]

    # Step 2: Iterate through the array
    for num in arr:
        # Step 3 & 4: Compare and update if necessary
        if num > max_value:
            max_value = num

    return max_value

# Example usage
array = [4, 12, 7, 9, 1]
print("The maximum value is:", find_maximum(array))

JavaScript

function findMaximum(arr) {
    // Step 1: Assume the first element is the maximum
    let maxValue = arr[0];

    // Step 2: Iterate through the array
    for (let i = 0; i < arr.length; i++) {
        // Step 3 & 4: Compare and update if necessary
        if (arr[i] > maxValue) {
            maxValue = arr[i];
        }
    }

    return maxValue;
}

// Example usage
const array = [4, 12, 7, 9, 1];
console.log("The maximum value is:", findMaximum(array));

Java

public class Main {
    public static int findMaximum(int[] arr) {
        // Step 1: Assume the first element is the maximum
        int maxValue = arr[0];

        // Step 2: Iterate through the array
        for (int i = 1; i < arr.length; i++) {
            // Step 3 & 4: Compare and update if necessary
            if (arr[i] > maxValue) {
                maxValue = arr[i];
            }
        }

        return maxValue;
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int[] array = {4, 12, 7, 9, 1};
        System.out.println("The maximum value is: " + findMaximum(array));
    }
}

C++

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int findMaximum(int arr[], int size) {
    // Step 1: Assume the first element is the maximum
    int maxValue = arr[0];

    // Step 2: Iterate through the array
    for (int i = 1; i < size; i++) {
        // Step 3 & 4: Compare and update if necessary
        if (arr[i] > maxValue) {
            maxValue = arr[i];
        }
    }

    return maxValue;
}

int main() {
    int array[] = {4, 12, 7, 9, 1};
    int size = sizeof(array) / sizeof(array[0]);
    cout << "The maximum value is: " << findMaximum(array, size) << endl;
    return 0;
}

To find the maximum element in an array:

• Initialize the first element as the maximum.
• Iterate through the array and compare each element with the current maximum.
• Update the maximum if a larger element is found.
• After the loop, the maximum variable holds the largest value.