Python abs()

Understanding Python abs() Function

Python abs() function is a built-in function that returns the absolute value of a number. The absolute value represents its distance from zero. This means that whether you give abs() a positive or negative number, you’ll get a non-negative result back. It simply removes any negative sign for real numbers (integers and floats). It calculates the magnitude for complex numbers, that is, the distance from the origin(0,0) to the number in the complex number plane.

Syntax of Python abs()

absolute_val = abs(number)

Explanation

• absolute_val: Variable will store the computed absolute value.
• abs(): Built-in function to get the absolute value.
• number: The input, which can be an integer, float, or complex number.

Example of Python abs()

negative_int = -15
positive_int = abs(negative_int)
print(positive_int)

Explanation

• negative_int = -15: Assign value -15 to the variable.
• positive_int = abs(negative_int): Calculates the absolute value and stores in positive_int.
• print(positive_int): Prints the final value.

Output

15

abs() Parameters

Python abs() function is straightforward; it takes a single parameter. This parameter, let’s call it x, represents the number for which you want to find the absolute value. The parameter x can be of three numeric types: integer, floating-point, or complex. If you try to pass something other than a number (like a string or a list) directly to abs(), you’ll get a TypeError.

Syntax

absolute_result = abs(x)

Explanation

• absolute_result: Will store the computed absolute value.
• abs(): Python function for calculate absolute value.
• x: Parameter, which can be integer, float or complex.

Example

float_num = -25.67
abs_float = abs(float_num)
print(abs_float)

Explanation

• float_num = -25.67: Assign the float value.
• abs_float = abs(float_num): Computes absolute value using abs().
• print(abs_float): Prints value.

Output

25.67

abs() Return Value

Python abs() function’s return value is always a non-negative number. This value represents the magnitude of the input number. If you provide an integer or a float, abs() returns a value of the same type. However, when you input a complex number, abs() returns its magnitude, which is always a floating-point number, representing the distance from the origin in the complex plane.

Syntax

non_negative_value = abs(numeric_input)

Explanation

• non_negative_value: Will hold return value.
• abs(): Calculates absolute value or magnitude.
• numeric_input: Can be integer, floating-point, or complex number.

Example

complex_number = 2 + 3j
abs_complex = abs(complex_number)
print(abs_complex)

Explanation

• complex_number = 2 + 3j: Define a complex number.
• abs_complex = abs(complex_number): Calculate the magnitude.
• print(abs_complex): Output will be float.

Output

3.605551275463989

Absolute Value of a Negative Integer with Python abs()

The most basic application of Python abs() is using a negative integer. When a negative integer is passed as an argument, abs() returns the positive equivalent of that integer. The function effectively removes the negative sign, providing the number’s distance from zero.

Syntax

positive_integer = abs(negative_integer)

Explanation

• positive_integer: This will store the result.
• abs(): Computes the absolute value.
• negative_integer: Input integer, negative value.

Example

num = -42
abs_num = abs(num)
print(abs_num)

Explanation

• num = -42: Assign value.
• abs_num = abs(num): Calculates the absolute value.
• print(abs_num): Prints the absolute value.

Output

42

Absolute Value of a Floating-Point Number with Python abs()

Python abs() handles floating-point numbers just as it handles integers. If you provide a negative float, abs() returns the positive counterpart, effectively removing the negative sign. If the float is already positive, abs() returns the same value unchanged. The return value will always be a float.

Syntax

positive_float = abs(negative_float)

Explanation

• positive_float: Stores the positive float result.
• abs(): Function for find absolute number.
• negative_float: Float, negative value.

Example

neg_float = -12.345
pos_float = abs(neg_float)
print(pos_float)

Explanation

• neg_float = -12.345: Initializes a negative float.
• pos_float = abs(neg_float): Calculates absolute value, removing the negative sign.
• print(pos_float): Displays the positive float.

Output

12.345

Magnitude of a Complex Number with Python abs()

Using Python abs() with a complex number doesn’t simply remove a negative sign. It calculates the magnitude of the complex number. The magnitude is the distance from the origin (0, 0) to the point representing the complex number in the complex plane. Calculated as the square root of the sum of the squares of its real and imaginary parts (using the Pythagorean theorem).

Syntax

magnitude = abs(complex_number)

Explanation

• magnitude: Variable will store calculated value.
• abs(): Calculate magnitude for complex number.
• complex_number: Input in the form a + bj.

Example

z = 4 + 3j
mag_z = abs(z)
print(mag_z)

Explanation

• z = 4 + 3j: Defines a complex number.
• mag_z = abs(z): Computes the magnitude of z.
• print(mag_z): Print magnitude, it is a floating-point.

Output

5.0

Python abs() vs fabs()

While both abs() and math.fabs() compute absolute values, there are key differences. abs() is a built-in function and can handle integers, floats, and complex numbers. math.fabs() is part of the math module, only accepts integers and floats (not complex numbers), and always returns a float. Choose abs() for general use and complex number support. Choose math.fabs() when you want a float result and are certain your input won’t be a complex number.

Syntax

# Built-in abs()
absolute_any = abs(number)

# math.fabs() – requires import math
import math
absolute_float = math.fabs(number)

Explanation

• absolute_any = abs(number): abs() can handle int, float, or complex.
• import math: Must import for fabs().
• absolute_float = math.fabs(number): fabs() ONLY handles int or float; result is always float.

Example

import math

num_int = -5
num_complex = 3 + 4j

abs_int = abs(num_int)
# abs_complex = abs(num_complex) # Works fine

fabs_int = math.fabs(num_int)
# fabs_complex = math.fabs(num_complex) # This will give a TypeError

print(abs_int)
print(fabs_int)

Explanation

• import math: Imports the math module.
• num_int = -5: Assigns integer.
• num_complex = 3 + 4j: Assigns complex number.
• abs_int = abs(num_int): abs() works on integer.
• fabs_int = math.fabs(num_int): fabs() converts to float.
• print(abs_int): Prints integer result.
• print(fabs_int): Prints float result.

Output

5
5.0

Conclusion

Python abs() function is used to calculate the absolute value. The function takes a number, an integer, a floating point, or a complex number. If the given number is an integer or floating-point number, then Python abs() returns the absolute value of the same type. If a complex number is provided, Python abs returns the magnitude of the complex number, which is always a float. math.fabs() is an alternative for calculating the absolute value, but unlike abs(), it always returns a float and cannot handle complex numbers.

Also Read

Python any()

Python Reference

python abs()