Array Min, Max, Avg

Create a C# console application that generates an array of random floating-point numbers and calculates statistical metrics: minimum, maximum, and average values.

Solution

This is an educational program that demonstrates array manipulation and statistical calculations. It allows users to specify an array size, populates it with random floating-point numbers, and then calculates and displays the minimum, maximum, and average values using both manual implementations and LINQ methods.

namespace ArrayMinMaxAvg
{
    internal class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Input array size
            Console.Write("Count = ");
            var count = Convert.ToInt32(Console.ReadLine());
            var rnd = new Random();
            var arr = new float[count];
            for (int i = 0; i < count; i++)
            {
                arr[i] = 10 * rnd.NextSingle();
            }

            // Print the array
            Console.WriteLine($"[{string.Join("; ", arr)}]");

            // Find minimum value in the array
            var min = arr[0];
            foreach (var val in arr)
            {
                if (val < min)
                {
                    min = val;
                }
            }
            Console.WriteLine($"Min = {min}");

            // Alternatively, using LINQ
            Console.WriteLine($"Max = {arr.Max()}");

            // Find average value in the array
            var sum = 0.0f;
            foreach (var val in arr)
            {
                sum += val;
            }
            var avg = sum / arr.Length;
            Console.WriteLine($"Avg = {avg}");

            // Alternatively, using LINQ
            // Console.WriteLine($"Avg = {arr.Average()}");
        }
    }
}

Features

• User-defined array size
• Generates random floating-point numbers in the range [0, 10)
• Displays the complete array with semicolon-separated values
• Calculates minimum value using manual iteration
• Calculates maximum value using LINQ
• Calculates average value using manual summation
• Includes commented LINQ alternative for average calculation
• Demonstrates different approaches to array statistics

Usage

1. Run the application
2. Enter the desired array size when prompted
3. The program will display:
   • The generated array
   • Minimum value (manual calculation)
   • Maximum value (LINQ method)
   • Average value (manual calculation)

Example Output

Count = 5
[3.456789; 7.891234; 1.234567; 9.876543; 5.432109]
Min = 1.234567
Max = 9.876543
Avg = 5.578248

Implementation Details

Minimum Value Calculation (Manual)

var min = arr[0];
foreach (var val in arr)
{
    if (val < min)
    {
        min = val;
    }
}

Iterates through the array, comparing each element to find the smallest value.

Maximum Value Calculation (LINQ)

arr.Max()

Uses LINQ's built-in Max() method for concise syntax.

Average Value Calculation (Manual)

var sum = 0.0f;
foreach (var val in arr)
{
    sum += val;
}
var avg = sum / arr.Length;

Manually sums all elements and divides by the array length.

Alternative: LINQ Average

arr.Average()  // Commented in the code

LINQ provides a one-line solution for calculating averages.

Building and Running

Using Visual Studio

1. Open the project in Visual Studio
2. Press F5 or click "Start" to build and run

Using .NET CLI

dotnet run

Notes

• Array values are generated in the range [0, 10) using 10 * rnd.NextSingle()
• The program uses float for decimal precision
• Semicolons (;) are used as array value separators in output

Source Code

Please refer to the GitHub repository.