When I type in an array into the parameter of the javascript math minimum and maximum functions, it returns the correct value:
console.log( Math.min( 5 ) );
Of course it would, because the start number should be Infinity for Math.min. All number that are lower than positive infinity should be the smallest from a list, if there are no smaller.
And for Math.max it's the same; all numbers that are larger than negative infinity should be the biggest if there are no bigger.
So for your first example:
Math.min(5) where 5 is smaller than positive infinity (Infinity) it will return 5.
Calling Math.min() and Math.max with an array parameter may not work on every platform. You should do the following instead:
Math.min.apply(null, [ 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5 ]);
Where the first parameter is the scope argument. Because Math.min() and Math.max() are "static" functions, we should set the scope argument to null.