How can you get the first digit in an int (C#)?

Question

In C#, what\'s the best way to get the 1st digit in an int? The method I came up with is to turn the int into a string, find the 1st char of the string, then turn it back to

Answer 1

start = getFirstDigit(start);   
public int getFirstDigit(final int start){
    int number = Math.abs(start);
    while(number > 10){
        number /= 10;
    }
    return number;
}

or

public int getFirstDigit(final int start){
  return getFirstDigit(Math.abs(start), true);
}
private int getFirstDigit(final int start, final boolean recurse){
  if(start < 10){
    return start;
  }
  return getFirstDigit(start / 10, recurse);
}