else-if Ladder and Multiple Conditions in C Practice Questions with Solutions

Introduction

The else-if ladder is used when a C program needs to check multiple conditions one after another. It is especially useful for grading systems, age categories, menus, discounts, salary ranges, and other decision-making programs. In this chapter, you will practice if, else-if, else, and multiple conditions using relational and logical operators. The examples start with simple conditions and gradually move toward practical programs. else-if Ladder and Multiple Conditions in C practice questions with solutions to help you understand the concepts.

Q1. Check a Number as Positive, Negative, or Zero

Problem Statement

Write a C program that accepts a number and determines whether it is positive, negative, or zero using an else-if ladder.

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int number;

    printf("Enter a number: ");
    scanf("%d", &number);

    if (number > 0)
    {
        printf("The number is positive.");
    }
    else if (number < 0)
    {
        printf("The number is negative.");
    }
    else
    {
        printf("The number is zero.");
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter a number: -15
The number is negative.

Explanation

The program checks the conditions from top to bottom:

number > 0
number < 0
Otherwise, the number must be 0.

Only the first true condition’s block is executed.

Concepts Covered

if
else-if
else
Multiple conditions
Relational operators

Q2. Display Grade Based on Marks

Problem Statement

Write a C program that accepts marks and displays a grade using the following rules:

Marks	Grade
90–100	A
80–89	B
70–79	C
60–69	D
Below 60	F

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int marks;

    printf("Enter your marks: ");
    scanf("%d", &marks);

    if (marks >= 90)
    {
        printf("Grade A");
    }
    else if (marks >= 80)
    {
        printf("Grade B");
    }
    else if (marks >= 70)
    {
        printf("Grade C");
    }
    else if (marks >= 60)
    {
        printf("Grade D");
    }
    else
    {
        printf("Grade F");
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter your marks: 85
Grade B

Explanation

The conditions are checked from highest to lowest.

For example, if the marks are 85:

85 >= 90  → False
85 >= 80  → True

So Grade B is displayed, and the remaining conditions are not checked.

Concepts Covered

else-if ladder
Range-based decisions
Relational operators
Grading system

Q3. Categorize Age

Problem Statement

Write a C program to categorize a person’s age:

Below 13 → Child
13–19 → Teenager
20–59 → Adult
60 or above → Senior

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int age;

    printf("Enter your age: ");
    scanf("%d", &age);

    if (age < 13)
    {
        printf("Category: Child");
    }
    else if (age < 20)
    {
        printf("Category: Teenager");
    }
    else if (age < 60)
    {
        printf("Category: Adult");
    }
    else
    {
        printf("Category: Senior");
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter your age: 17
Category: Teenager

Explanation

Notice that we don’t need to write age >= 13 && age < 20 for the second condition.

The first condition has already established that the age is 13 or above when the program reaches the second condition.

Concepts Covered

else-if
Age ranges
Multiple conditions
Logical reasoning

Q4. Find the Largest of Three Numbers

Problem Statement

Write a C program that accepts three numbers and displays the largest number.

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int a, b, c;

    printf("Enter first number: ");
    scanf("%d", &a);

    printf("Enter second number: ");
    scanf("%d", &b);

    printf("Enter third number: ");
    scanf("%d", &c);

    if (a >= b && a >= c)
    {
        printf("%d is the largest.", a);
    }
    else if (b >= a && b >= c)
    {
        printf("%d is the largest.", b);
    }
    else
    {
        printf("%d is the largest.", c);
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter first number: 45
Enter second number: 72
Enter third number: 60
72 is the largest.

Explanation

The program uses the logical AND operator:

a >= b && a >= c

This means both conditions must be true for a to be the largest.

The same logic is then applied to b.

Concepts Covered

else-if
Logical AND &&
Relational operators
Comparing three values

Q5. Check a Number Range Using Multiple Conditions

Problem Statement

Write a C program that checks a number and displays:

Small if it is between 1 and 10
Medium if it is between 11 and 50
Large if it is greater than 50
Invalid if it is 0 or negative

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int number;

    printf("Enter a number: ");
    scanf("%d", &number);

    if (number >= 1 && number <= 10)
    {
        printf("Small");
    }
    else if (number >= 11 && number <= 50)
    {
        printf("Medium");
    }
    else if (number > 50)
    {
        printf("Large");
    }
    else
    {
        printf("Invalid number");
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter a number: 35
Medium

Explanation

The && operator allows two conditions to be checked together.

number >= 11 && number <= 50

Both conditions must be true.

Concepts Covered

Multiple conditions
Logical AND &&
else-if
Number ranges

Q6. Calculate Discount Based on Purchase Amount

Problem Statement

Create a program that calculates a discount according to the purchase amount:

Purchase Amount	Discount
₹10,000 or more	20%
₹5,000–₹9,999	10%
₹2,000–₹4,999	5%
Below ₹2,000	No discount

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    float amount;
    float discount;
    float finalAmount;

    printf("Enter purchase amount: ");
    scanf("%f", &amount);

    if (amount >= 10000)
    {
        discount = amount * 0.20;
    }
    else if (amount >= 5000)
    {
        discount = amount * 0.10;
    }
    else if (amount >= 2000)
    {
        discount = amount * 0.05;
    }
    else
    {
        discount = 0;
    }

    finalAmount = amount - discount;

    printf("Discount = %.2f\n", discount);
    printf("Final Amount = %.2f", finalAmount);

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter purchase amount: 7500
Discount = 750.00
Final Amount = 6750.00

Explanation

The program checks the highest discount first.

For ₹7500:

7500 >= 10000 → False
7500 >= 5000  → True

Therefore, a 10% discount is applied.

Concepts Covered

else-if ladder
Multiple conditions
Percentage calculation
float
Arithmetic operators

Q7. Check Whether a Year Is a Leap Year

Problem Statement

Write a C program to determine whether a year is a leap year.

A year is a leap year when:

It is divisible by 400, or
It is divisible by 4 but not divisible by 100.

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int year;

    printf("Enter a year: ");
    scanf("%d", &year);

    if (year % 400 == 0)
    {
        printf("%d is a leap year.", year);
    }
    else if (year % 100 == 0)
    {
        printf("%d is not a leap year.", year);
    }
    else if (year % 4 == 0)
    {
        printf("%d is a leap year.", year);
    }
    else
    {
        printf("%d is not a leap year.", year);
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter a year: 2024
2024 is a leap year.

Explanation

The program uses the modulus operator % to check divisibility.

For example:

2024 % 4 == 0

is true, so 2024 is a leap year.

Concepts Covered

else-if
Multiple conditions
Modulus operator
Divisibility
Logical decision-making

Q8. Check Login Status Using Multiple Conditions

Problem Statement

Create a simple program that accepts a username status and password status.

Use:

1 for correct username
1 for correct password
0 for incorrect

Display the appropriate message.

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int usernameCorrect;
    int passwordCorrect;

    printf("Is username correct? Enter 1 for Yes, 0 for No: ");
    scanf("%d", &usernameCorrect);

    printf("Is password correct? Enter 1 for Yes, 0 for No: ");
    scanf("%d", &passwordCorrect);

    if (usernameCorrect == 1 && passwordCorrect == 1)
    {
        printf("Login successful.");
    }
    else if (usernameCorrect == 1 && passwordCorrect == 0)
    {
        printf("Incorrect password.");
    }
    else if (usernameCorrect == 0 && passwordCorrect == 1)
    {
        printf("Incorrect username.");
    }
    else
    {
        printf("Incorrect username and password.");
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Is username correct? Enter 1 for Yes, 0 for No: 1
Is password correct? Enter 1 for Yes, 0 for No: 0
Incorrect password.

Explanation

The program combines two conditions using &&.

For example:

usernameCorrect == 1 && passwordCorrect == 1

is true only when both values are 1.

Concepts Covered

Multiple conditions
Logical AND
else-if
User input
Decision making

Q9. Determine Temperature Category

Problem Statement

Write a C program that categorizes temperature as follows:

Below 0°C → Freezing
0°C–14°C → Cold
15°C–29°C → Moderate
30°C–39°C → Hot
40°C or above → Very Hot

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int temperature;

    printf("Enter temperature: ");
    scanf("%d", &temperature);

    if (temperature < 0)
    {
        printf("Freezing");
    }
    else if (temperature < 15)
    {
        printf("Cold");
    }
    else if (temperature < 30)
    {
        printf("Moderate");
    }
    else if (temperature < 40)
    {
        printf("Hot");
    }
    else
    {
        printf("Very Hot");
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter temperature: 32
Hot

Explanation

The conditions are checked from top to bottom.

For 32:

32 &lt; 0  → False
32 &lt; 15 → False
32 &lt; 30 → False
32 &lt; 40 → True

Therefore, the output is Hot.

Concepts Covered

else-if ladder
Multiple ranges
Relational operators
Conditional classification

Q10. Create a Student Result and Performance Program

Problem Statement

Write a C program that accepts marks in three subjects.

First check whether the student passed all subjects. A student must score at least 40 in every subject.

If the student passes, calculate the average and display:

Excellent → average 80 or above
Very Good → average 70–79
Good → average 60–69
Pass → average below 60

If the student fails any subject, display Fail.

C Program

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int math, science, computer;
    float average;

    printf("Enter Mathematics marks: ");
    scanf("%d", &math);

    printf("Enter Science marks: ");
    scanf("%d", &science);

    printf("Enter Computer marks: ");
    scanf("%d", &computer);

    if (math >= 40 && science >= 40 && computer >= 40)
    {
        average = (math + science + computer) / 3.0;

        printf("Average = %.2f\n", average);

        if (average >= 80)
        {
            printf("Performance: Excellent");
        }
        else if (average >= 70)
        {
            printf("Performance: Very Good");
        }
        else if (average >= 60)
        {
            printf("Performance: Good");
        }
        else
        {
            printf("Performance: Pass");
        }
    }
    else
    {
        printf("Result: Fail");
    }

    return 0;
}

Sample Output

Enter Mathematics marks: 85
Enter Science marks: 78
Enter Computer marks: 90
Average = 84.33
Performance: Excellent

Explanation

The first condition uses three conditions together:

math >= 40 && science >= 40 && computer >= 40

All three conditions must be true.

After the student passes all subjects, another else-if ladder determines the performance level from the average.

Concepts Covered

if
else
else-if
Multiple conditions
Logical AND
Arithmetic operators
Average calculation
Nested decision-making

Key Takeaways

An else-if ladder is useful for checking multiple alternative conditions.
Conditions are evaluated from top to bottom.
Once a condition is true, its block executes and the remaining else-if conditions are skipped.
else provides the default case when none of the previous conditions is true.
&& means logical AND; all combined conditions must be true.
|| means logical OR; at least one condition must be true.
Relational operators such as >, <, >=, <=, ==, and != are commonly used with conditional statements.
The order of conditions matters, especially when checking ranges.
An else-if ladder can be placed inside another if block when more detailed decision-making is required.
Avoid unnecessarily complicated conditions when a simpler else-if structure can express the same logic.

FAQs

1. What is an `else-if` ladder in C?

An else-if ladder is a sequence of conditions where C checks each condition from top to bottom until it finds a true condition.

2. How many `else-if` statements can we use?

C does not impose a small fixed limit on the number of else-if clauses you can write. However, very long chains can make a program difficult to read and maintain.

3. What happens when two `else-if` conditions are true?

Only the first true condition in the if/else-if chain is executed.

For example:

if (marks >= 60)
{
    printf("Condition 1");
}
else if (marks >= 50)
{
    printf("Condition 2");
}

If marks is 70, only Condition 1 is printed.

4. What is the difference between multiple `if` statements and an `else-if` ladder?

With multiple independent if statements, more than one condition can execute.

With an else-if ladder, only the first true condition executes.

5. Why is condition order important?

Because C checks conditions from top to bottom.

For example:

if (marks >= 40)
{
    printf("Pass");
}
else if (marks >= 80)
{
    printf("Excellent");
}

The second condition will never be reached for marks of 80 or above because marks >= 40 is already true.

6. How do I check multiple conditions in one `if` statement?

Use logical operators.

For example, && requires all conditions to be true:

if (age >= 18 && marks >= 50)
{
    printf("Eligible");
}

|| requires at least one condition to be true:

if (marks >= 90 || attendance >= 90)
{
    printf("Eligible");
}

7. Can an `else-if` ladder contain an `else`?

Yes. The final else is optional. When included, it executes when none of the preceding if or else-if conditions is true.

Written by Shubhranshu Shekhar, who has trained 20000+ students in coding.

Rishabh Kumar

Introduction

Q1. Check a Number as Positive, Negative, or Zero

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q2. Display Grade Based on Marks

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q3. Categorize Age

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q4. Find the Largest of Three Numbers

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q5. Check a Number Range Using Multiple Conditions

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q6. Calculate Discount Based on Purchase Amount

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q7. Check Whether a Year Is a Leap Year

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q8. Check Login Status Using Multiple Conditions

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q9. Determine Temperature Category

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Q10. Create a Student Result and Performance Program

Problem Statement

C Program

Sample Output

Explanation

Concepts Covered

Key Takeaways

FAQs

1. What is an else-if ladder in C?

2. How many else-if statements can we use?

3. What happens when two else-if conditions are true?

4. What is the difference between multiple if statements and an else-if ladder?

5. Why is condition order important?

6. How do I check multiple conditions in one if statement?

7. Can an else-if ladder contain an else?

Related Posts

1. What is an `else-if` ladder in C?

2. How many `else-if` statements can we use?

3. What happens when two `else-if` conditions are true?

4. What is the difference between multiple `if` statements and an `else-if` ladder?

6. How do I check multiple conditions in one `if` statement?

7. Can an `else-if` ladder contain an `else`?