Shortest code to check if a number is in a range in JavaScript

Question

This is how I checkout to see if a number is in a range (in between two other numbers):

var a = 10,
    b = 30,
    x = 15,
    y = 35;

x < Math.max(a,b) && x > Math.min(a,b) // -> true
y < Math.max(a,b) && y > Math.min(a,b) // -> false

I have to do this math in my code a lot and I'm looking for shorter equivalent code.

This is a shorter version I came up with. But I am sure it can get much shorter:

a < x && x < b
true
a < y && y < b
false

But downside is I have to repeat x or y

a<x&x<b will return 1 or 0, and is 7 characters shorter. — beary605, Oct 10 '12 at 1:16
For code-golf purposes beary605's solution is best, but if you're using the code a lot you'd be better off declaring a function like within(a,b) or inrange(a,b) somewhere in your code and using that. It's instantly obvious what it does and therefore easier to maintain in the future. — Gareth, Oct 10 '12 at 11:19
beary605, your solution won't work because it will always return 0 when b<a even if x is in between a and b (for example when a=20; b=10; x=15) — Yellos, Oct 19 '12 at 22:23

AMK · Answer 1 · 2012-10-10 13:19:20Z

up vote 7 down vote

13 chars, checks both variants a<b and b<a

(x-a)*(x-b)<0

In C may be used expression (may be also in JavaScript). 11 chars, No multiplications (fast)

(x-a^x-b)<0

answered Oct 10 '12 at 13:11

AMK

42625

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Yellos · Answer 2 · 2012-10-19 22:29:45Z

up vote 4 down vote

a<x==x<b

JavaScript, 8 chars.

answered Oct 19 '12 at 22:29

Yellos

1413

1

0<0==0<1 -> false – Mohsen Oct 20 '12 at 0:28

I like Yellos answer. And 0>=0==0<1 returns true – tim Jul 10 '13 at 23:43

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2 Answers 2