Question:

Consider the following class method implementation in a math class:

public static int findMax(int num1, int num2) {
    int max = 0;
    if (num1 > num2) {
        max = num1;
    } else {
        max = num2;
    }
    return max;
}

What is the purpose of this method and how does it work? Explain step-by-step.

A. This method finds the maximum of two given numbers. It compares the values of num1 and num2 and assigns the greater value to the variable max. Finally, it returns the value of max.

B. This method finds the minimum of two given numbers. It compares the values of num1 and num2 and assigns the smaller value to the variable max. Finally, it returns the value of max.

C. This method finds the maximum of two given numbers. It sums the values of num1 and num2 and assigns it to the variable max. Finally, it returns the value of max.

D. This method finds the absolute difference between two given numbers. It calculates the difference between num1 and num2 and assigns it to the variable max. Finally, it returns the value of max.

Answer:

The correct answer is A. This method finds the maximum of two given numbers.

The method starts by declaring a variable max with an initial value of 0. It then compares the values of num1 and num2 using an if-else statement. If num1 is greater than num2, it assigns the value of num1 to max. Otherwise, it assigns the value of num2 to max. This process ensures that max contains the greater of the two numbers.

Finally, the method returns the value of max. This means that when the method is called and executed, it will provide the maximum value of the two input numbers. For example, if num1 is 5 and num2 is 8, the method will return 8 since 8 is greater than 5.

In summary, this method is designed to find the maximum between two given numbers by assigning the greater value to the variable max and returning its value.