JavaScript - why is Math.max() returning NaN on array of integers?

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726

I want to get the highest number from an array of numbers but Math.max() method returns NaN.

What did I do wrong?

My code:

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

var numbers = [1, 4, 2, 5, 3];

console.log(Math.max(numbers)); // NaN

1 answer

0 points

Answered by:

726

Your code doesn't work because Math.max() expects each argument to be a valid number.

From the documentation:
The Math.max() returns NaN if any parameter isn't a number and can't be converted into one.

What you are trying to do is provide one argument that is an array, not a number.

Suggested solutions

1. Use spread syntax (...)

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

var numbers = [1, 4, 2, 5, 3];

console.log(Math.max(...numbers)); // 5

Note:

The spread syntax was introduced in ES6.

2. Manually specify each argument without using an array

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

console.log(Math.max(1, 4, 2, 5, 3)); // 5

3. Explicitly call Math.max() by using apply() method and passing an array of arguments

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

var numbers = [1, 4, 2, 5, 3];

console.log(Math.max.apply(Math, numbers)); // 5

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