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largerDigits

Language/Type: Java method basics mod parameters return
Author: Marty Stepp (on 2010/12/28)

Write a static method named largerDigits that accepts two integer parameters a and b and returns a new integer c where each digit of c gets its value from the larger of a's and b's digit in the same place. That is, the ones digit of c is the larger of the ones digit of a and the ones digit of b, and the tens digit of c is the larger of the tens digit of a and the tens digit of b, and so on. You may assume that a and b are positive integers (greater than 0).

For example, suppose a is 603452384 and b is 921782. Their digits would be combined as follows to produce c: 

a        603452380
b           920784
------------------
c           952784     (return value)

Notice that if a particular digit place is absent from one number or the other, such as the 603 at the start of a above, no digit is carried over to c. The following table lists some more calls to your method and their expected return values:

Call Value Returned
largerDigits(172, 312) 372
largerDigits(21, 3) 3
largerDigits(90, 38906735) 95
largerDigits(56002, 123321) 56322
largerDigits(11223, 4466) 4466
largerDigits(12345, 12345) 12345
largerDigits(1, 34892) 2

Hint: If you are building a result number, you may need to use Math.pow or accumulate a multiplier with each digit.

You may not use a String to solve this problem.

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This is a method problem. Write a Java method as described. Do not write a complete program or class; just the method(s) above.

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