The abs() is a static math method; it can be used without creating an object. However, the Math module is often helpful when the program deals with mathematical expressions where the |x| value (the absolute value of a variable x) must be calculated.
JavaScript absolute value
To find the absolute value in JavaScript, use the Math.abs() method. The Math.abs() is a built-in method that returns the absolute value of a number. The abs() method takes a number as its parameter and returns its absolute value.
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
To find absolute value in Javascript, then you should use math.abs() function.
That’s it.