Please post your code too as I cannot correct a screen shot. It looks like the formula variable is missing the last semi colon.
We might have to rename the formula variable to call it "highest". Maybe Max is a reserved word.
The formula is using a formula variable just to increase the readability of the formula.
https://help.quickbase.com/user-assistance/formula_variables.htmlAs for your second question, I am not understanding your question. Can you explain with an example.