Javascript abs: How to Find Absolute Value in JavaScript
Javascript Math.abs() is an inbuilt function that returns the absolute value of a number. It takes a number as its parameter and returns its absolute value. Parameters: The number whose absolute value is to be found is passed as the parameter to the math.abs() function.
Javascript abs()
To find the absolute value of a given argument in JavaScript, Math.abs() method is used. This method is often helpful when the program deals with mathematical expressions where the |x| value (the absolute value of a variable x) is required to be calculated. Since abs() is a static method of Math, it can be used without creating an object.
Syntax
Math.abs(x)
Parameters
The variable x, whose absolute value is to be determined.
Return Value
If the argument is not negative, it returns the value of the argument as it is. Otherwise, it returns the negation of that value.
See the following figure.
Note:
- If the parameter is negative infinity, this method returns positive infinity.
- If the parameter is a non-numeric string, this method returns NaN.
- If the parameter is an array with more than one integer, this method returns NaN.
- If the parameter is an undefined/empty variable, this method returns NaN.
- If the parameter is an empty object, this method returns NaN.
- If the parameter is null, this method returns 0.
- If the parameter is an empty string, this method returns 0.
- If the parameter is an empty array, this method returns 0.
Compatibility:
- Google Chrome
- Internet Explorer
- Firefox
- Opera
- Safari
- Android webview
- Chrome for Android
- Firefox for Android
- Opera for Android
- Safari on iOS
- Samsung Internet
- Node.js
JavaScript version: ECMAScript 1
Consider the following examples:
The following example demonstrates the use of this method.
// example1.js var a = 500; // non-negative number var b = -500; // negative number console.log(Math.abs(a)); console.log(Math.abs(b));
Output
node example1 500 500
Example 2
The following example demonstrates the case where negative infinity is passed as a parameter.
// example2.js console.log(Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY) console.log(Math.abs(Number.NEGATIVE_INFINITY));
Output
node example2 -Infinity Infinity
Example 3
The following example demonstrates the cases where NaN is returned.
// example3.js var a = "JavaScript"; // non-numeric string var b = [1, 2, 3, 4]; // array with more than one integer var c; // undefined variable var d = {}; // empty object console.log(Math.abs(a)); console.log(Math.abs(b)); console.log(Math.abs(c)); console.log(Math.abs(d)); console.log(Math.abs());
Output
node example3 NaN NaN NaN NaN NaN
Example 4
The following example demonstrates the cases where 0 is returned.
// example4.js var a = null; // null var b = ""; // empty string var c = []; // empty array console.log(Math.abs(a)); console.log(Math.abs(b)); console.log(Math.abs(c));
Output
node example4 0 0 0
Conclusion
If you want to find absolute value in Javascript, then you should use math.abs() function.