Get the maximum values of column B per each distinct value of column A

Question

I have an Excel spreadsheet of the form:

A,B
X,1
X,5
Y,4
Y,11
X,7
Z,1

I would like to get the maximum value of column B for each distinct value of column A - how can I do it via pure Excel formula?

Desired result (order is irrelevant):

A,B
Y,11
X,7
Z,1

In other words, I would like Excel's version of an SQL query

SELECT   A,max(B)
FROM     myTable
GROUP BY A

Any version of Excel is acceptable, but I use 365 one.

Pivot tables are an acceptable approach (I currently did it with a pivot myself) but I would strongly prefer a real formula - the main goal of the question is to enhance my understanding of formula programming in Excel. No VBA

Answer 1

Gary's Student's answer is correct. I added a couple things.

Also, a link to the method: http://blog.contextures.com/archives/2011/07/27/finding-min-if-or-max-if-in-excel/

A distinct list of values can be generated in a couple ways, here's one:

And here's links to a method or two for distinct lists. All with array formulas:

Ignore Duplicates and Create New List of Unique Values in Excel

Getting unique values in Excel by using formulas only