C program to find maximum between three numbers using conditional operator

Write a C program to input three numbers from user and find maximum between three numbers using conditional/ternary operator ?:. How to find maximum between three numbers using conditional operator.

Input num1: 10
Input num2: 20
Input num3: 30

Maximum is 30

Required knowledge

Basic C programming, Conditional operator, Logical operators

Learn how to write the same program using if...else statement.

Learn more – Program to find maximum between three numbers using if…else

Program to find maximum between three numbers

/**
 * C program to find maximum between three numbers using conditional operator
 */

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int num1, num2, num3, max;

    /*
     * Input three numbers from user
     */
    printf("Enter three numbers: ");
    scanf("%d%d%d", &num1, &num2, &num3);

    /*
     * If num1 > num2 and num1 > num3 then
     *     assign num1 to max
     * else if num2 > num3 then
     *     assign num2 to max
     * else
     *     assign num3 to max
     */
    max = (num1 > num2 && num1 > num3) ? num1 :
          (num2 > num3) ? num2 : num3;

    printf("\nMaximum between %d, %d and %d = %d", num1, num2, num3, max);

    return 0;
}

Important note: In the above conditional operator I have used proper separators (spaces and new lines) to add readability to code. Practice a good habit to add more and more separators in your code to make it clear.

Enter three numbers: 10
20
30

Maximum between 10, 20 and 30 = 30

Happy coding 😉