max -- yields the maximum element in a list or sequence

Synopsis

i1 : X = for i from 1 to 10 list random(100)

o1 = {24, 65, 71, 72, 19, 19, 91, 72, 93, 79}

o1 : List

i2 : max X

o2 = 93

If L contains elements in a polynomial ring, the MonomialOrder of the ring is used for comparisons.

i3 : R1 = QQ[x, y, z, MonomialOrder => Lex];

i4 : max {x*y^2, x*y^2 + z^2, y^4, y*z^5}

        2    2
o4 = x*y  + z

o4 : R1

i5 : R2 = QQ[x, y, z, MonomialOrder => GRevLex];

i6 : max (x*y^2, x*y^2 + z^2, y^4, y*z^5)

        5
o6 = y*z

o6 : R2

More generally, the order of the elements is determined using the ? operator.

If X is a list of lists, max acts on the outermost level.

i7 : max {{3, 1, 2}, {2, 9, 6}, {3, 7, 5}}

o7 = {3, 7, 5}

o7 : List

i8 : max flatten {{3, 1, 2}, {2, 9, 6}, {3, 7, 5}}

o8 = 9