JavaScript Math abs()

// find absolute value of -2
number= Math.abs(-2);
console.log(number); 

// Output: 2

abs() Syntax

The syntax of the Math.abs() method is:

Math.abs(number)

Here, abs() is a static method. Hence, we are accessing the method using the class name, Math.

abs() Parameter

The Math.abs() method takes a single parameter:

• number - whose absolute value is to be returned

abs() Return value

The abs() method returns:

• the absolute value of the specified number
• NaN for non-numeric string arguments

Example 1: JavaScript Math.abs() with Numeric Arguments

 value1 = Math.abs(57);
console.log(value1);    // 57

value = Math.abs(-3);
console.log(value);    // 3

Example 2: Math.abs() with Numeric Strings

value1 = Math.abs("57");
console.log(value1);    // 57

value = Math.abs("-230");
console.log(value);    // 230

Here, the abs() method treats numeric strings "57" and "-230" as numbers and returns their absolute value as the output.

Example 3: Math.abs() with Non-Numeric Strings

// abs() with non-numeric argument
value = Math.abs("Programiz");
console.log(value); 

// Output:  NaN

Here, we have used the abs() method with the non-numeric string "Programiz". In this case, we get NaN as output.

Recommended readings:

• JavaScript Math sign()
• JavaScript Math ceil()
• JavaScript Math floor()