C++ Program to Find Largest Element of an Array

To understand this example, you should have the knowledge of the following C++ programming topics:


This program takes n number of element from user(where, n is specified by user) and stores data in an array. Then, this program displays the largest element of that array using loops.

Example: Display Largest Element of an array

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {

  int i, n;
  float arr[100];

  cout << "Enter total number of elements(1 to 100): ";
  cin >> n;
  cout << endl;

  // Store number entered by the user
  for(i = 0; i < n; ++i) {
    cout << "Enter Number " << i + 1 << " : ";
    cin >> arr[i];
  }

  // Loop to store largest number to arr[0]
  for(i = 1;i < n; ++i) {

    // Change < to > if you want to find the smallest element
    if(arr[0] < arr[i])
      arr[0] = arr[i];
  }

  cout << endl << "Largest element = " << arr[0];

  return 0;
}

Output

Enter total number of elements(1 to 100): 8

Enter Number 1 : 23.4
Enter Number 2 : -34.5
Enter Number 3 : 50
Enter Number 4 : 33.5
Enter Number 5 : 55.5
Enter Number 6 : 43.7
Enter Number 7 : 5.7
Enter Number 8 : -66.5

Largest element = 55.5

This program takes n number of elements from user and stores it in array arr[].

To find the largest element, the first two elements of array are checked and largest of these two element is placed in arr[0].

Then, the first and third elements are checked and largest of these two element is placed in arr[0].

This process continues until and first and last elements are checked.

After this process, the largest element of an array will be in arr[0] position.


Also Read:

Before we wrap up, let's put your understanding of this example to the test! Can you solve the following challenge?

Challenge:

Write a function to find the largest number in a list.

  • Return the largest number from the array of int numbers.
  • For example, for arr[] = {4, 2, 9, 6, 23, 12} and arrSize = 6, the return value should be 23.
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