Also, {a+b-abs(a-b)}/2 is the smaller one in {a,b}
Here's an intuitive explanation by @Grant Goodman (in comments): "(a+b)/2 gives you the average, which is directly in between a and b, and it is 1/2 the difference from either a or b. So to get to the larger one, just add the difference of the two divided by two, giving you (a+b)/2 + abs(a-b)/2, or (a+b+abs(a-b))/2"
{a+b+abs(a-b)}/2Also, {a+b-abs(a-b)}/2 is the smaller one in {a,b}Here's an intuitive explanation by @Grant Goodman (in comments): "(a+b)/2 gives you the average, which is directly in between a and b, and it is 1/2 the difference from either a or b. So to get to the larger one, just add the difference of the two divided by two, giving you (a+b)/2 + abs(a-b)/2, or (a+b+abs(a-b))/2"