What is the right answer?

Question

public static int someCode(int a, int b, int c){
if((a<b) && (b<c)) {
return a;
}
if((a>=b) && (b>=c)) {
return b;
}
if((a==b) || (a==c) || (b==c)) {
return c;
}
}

Pick one answer below that describes the error in above code. java code
1 Is it possible to reach the end of the method without returning a value

2 The third if statement is not reachable

3The if statements must have else parts when they contain return statements

4Methods cannot have multiple return statements

5 The keyword word return cannot be used in the body of an if statement

Answer 1

Niwo Ah, yes, that too. Same goes for the "largest value" check, where b has to be >= c.

Answer 2

Based on method of elimination, 2, 3, 4, and 5 do not cause errors and hence do not contain the correct answers.

With close inspection, you can see that the code only returns if

a is the smallest value

or

a is the largest value

or

any of the values are equivalent

If b or c is larger than a, the function would fail to return anything. It is also note worthy that Java would warn you if all your return statements in a function are written within if blocks, since it is possible for the function to end without returning anything.

Answer 3

a can be the smallest value and it wont return anything. if a is the smallest then b must be greater than c...

Answer 4

1. is true. If a=3 b=5 c=4 you wouldn't get a return...
You could remove this possibility if you change the second if to an else if and the third if to an else. The function ends anyway as soon as a return is executed, so it wouldn't make a different...

Answer 5

Hatsy Rei Yes and if a is the largest, b must be smaller then c...

Answer 6

Thanks

Answer 7

so what is the final answer then?