Controlling Program Flow →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

1Z0-829 Ternary Operator Precedence Practice Question

Given: int a=5, b=10; String result = (a > b) ? "greater" : (a < b) ? "less" : "equal"; What is result?

⚠ Common exam trap

Candidates may think the expression causes a compilation error due to misinterpretation of grouping, but Java's right-associativity ensures it works correctly. The trap is to recognize that nested ternaries are valid and the precedence yields the expected result.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

"less"

The ternary operator is right-associative, so the expression is parsed as `a > b ? "greater" : (a < b ? "less" : "equal")`. Since `a=5` and `b=10`, `a > b` is false, so the second operand of the outer ternary is evaluated: `a < b` is true, so the inner ternary returns `"less"`. The code compiles and runs without error, producing `"less"`.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
"equal"
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because 'equal' would only be returned if a == b, but a=5 and b=10 are not equal.
✗
"greater"
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because 'greater' would require a > b, but 5 > 10 is false.
✗
Compilation error
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect. The code compiles successfully; there is no type mismatch because the ternary operator is right-associative and the second operand of the outer ternary is the inner ternary, which returns a String.
✓
"less"
Why this is correct
This is correct. The expression evaluates to 'less' because a=5 is less than b=10.

Go deeper

1Z0-829 Ternary Operator Precedence Practice Question

Why each option matters

Option-by-option breakdown

Related to this question