Question

I’m looking for an algorithm to retrieve the two closest out of 3. I don’t have any variable to get close to, just the three of this. For example, if i have 31, 52 and 84, i’d like the function to return 31 and 52.

I’ve tried some methods with array sorting, but fact is the three numbers are variables (X, Y and Z). When I sort my [X, Y, Z] array, i lose the order of vars.

I’m sure there’s a very simple solution, i’m feeling quite silly right now… This is actually a MAXScript project so I’d like to avoid specific language functions, but any kind of information would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Call the three numbers A, B, and C.

Compute three variables:

AB = (A - B)^2
BC = (B - C)^2
CA = (C - A)^2

Then compare AB, BC, and CA. If AB is smallest, output A and B. If BC is smallest, output B and C. If CA is smallest, output C and A.

If you want to make it a bit more elegant, create a structure that consists of three numbers and create three such structures as follows:

S1 = (A-B)^2, A, B
S2 = (B-C)^2, B, C
S3 = (C-A)^2, C, A

Then sort S1,S2,S3 based on the first number. For the entry that sorts first, output its second two numbers.