MinMax

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The Problem

Arrange N x N apples (for example: 9 or 16 or 25) in a square with N rows and N columns. From each row find the largest one and call the smallest of these "A". From each column find the smallest and let "B" be the largest of these. Which apple is bigger, A or B? (Or are they always the same, or could it be either one?)

BackGround and Techniques

Here's a simple little problem without much math involved. Trying to solve it in your head can cause minor headaches though.

Simple code - we just do what the problem says. But it does give us the chance to introduce usage of StringGrids (TStringGrid in Delphi terms - all components begin with the letter "T" to indicate that this is a "type" definition).

One neat touch here is to use an "OwnerDrawCell" event exit to draw the cells so that the smallest of the row max's and the largest of the column min's can be highlighted.

Running/Exploring the Program

Browse source extract

Download source

Download executable

Suggestions for Further Study

Not much else to do with this one. Make sure you understand the code and then let's move on to bigger and better things!