Python abs(): Return the Absolute Value of a Number (original) (raw)

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Summary: in this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use the Python abs() function to return an absolute value of a variable.

Introduction to the Python abs() function #

The abs() function returns an absolute value of a number. Here’s the syntax of the abs() function:

abs(x)Code language: Python (python)

In this syntax, x can be an integer, a floating point number, or a complex number. If x is a complex number, the abs() returns the magnitude of that complex number.

Also, x can be an object that implements the __abs__() method. In this case, the abs() function will delegate to the __abs__() method.

Python abs() function example #

Let’s take some examples of using the abs() function.

1) Using abs() function with numbers #

The following example uses the abs() function with numbers:

`balance = -10 print(abs(balance)) # ? 10

owed_amount = -20.99 print(abs(owed_amount)) # ? 20.99

c = 3 - 5j print(abs(c)) # ? 5.0`Code language: Python (python)

2) Using abs() function with a user-defined object #

The following example creates a class Balance that implements the __abs__() method:

`class Balance: def init(self, amount): self.amount = amount

def __abs__(self):
    return abs(self.amount)

balance = Balance(-299) print(abs(balance)) # ? -299`Code language: Python (python)

When we pass the balance object to the abs() function, the abs() function delegates the call to the __abs__() method that returns the absolute value of the amount attribute.

Summary #

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