Re: Min[], Max[]
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg48349] Re: Min[], Max[]
- From: Marcus Stollsteimer <marcus314 at yahoo.com>
- Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 07:17:16 -0400 (EDT)
- References: <c8rutb$8nl$1@smc.vnet.net>
- Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com
Frank Brand wrote:
> can anyone explain me what´s the sense in the definition of
>
> Min[{}]= Infinity and Max[{}]= -Infinity
Hi,
I'm only guessing here, but it seems the only reasonable way
to define it. It makes sure that the min/max of a union of lists
is the same as the min/max of the individual minimums/maximums,
even if one of the joined lists is empty.
In[1]:= mylist={1,2,3}; emptylist={};
In[3]:= Min[emptylist,mylist]
Out[3]= 1
In[4]:= Unprotect[Min]; Min[{}]=0; (* why? *)
In[6]:= Min[emptylist,mylist]
Out[6]= 0
^^^ should be 1
HTH,
Marcus
--
What is life but a series of inspired follies? -- George Bernard Shaw