Python abs() Method: How to Find Absolute Value in Python
Python abs() method is a built-in method. It is used to get absolute value of a number. It returns absolute value of a number that can be an integer, float, or a complex value. It takes single argument and if the argument is a complex number, it returns magnitude of the number.
Signature
abs(x)
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
x | (Required) This argument can be an integer, float or a complex number. |
Return Value
It returns an absolute value of the specified number.
  If the argument is an integer, it returns integer absolute value.
  If the argument is a floating point value, it returns float absolute value.
  If the argument is a complex number, it returns magnitude.
Error: It returns an error (TypeError), if the argument is not a number.
Example: Find Absolute Value in Python
Let’s first understand, how this method works and what it returns?
#abs() method
val1 = abs(12) #interger argument
val2 = abs(-12) #negative interger
#displaying result
print(val1)
print(val2)
Output:
12
12
Example: Find Absolute Value of Float Value in Python
#abs() method
val1 = abs(12.56) #float argument
val2 = abs(-12.56) #negative float
#displaying result
print(val1)
print(val2)
val1 = abs(12.56) #float argument
val2 = abs(-12.56) #negative float
#displaying result
print(val1)
print(val2)
Output:
12.56
12.56
Example: Find Absolute Value of Complex Values in Python
If the argument is a complex number, method returns magnitude only. See, the below example.
#abs() method
val1 = abs(3+4j) #complex number
val2 = abs(3-4j)
#displaying result
print(val1)
print(val2)
val2 = abs(3-4j)
#displaying result
print(val1)
print(val2)
Output:
5.0
5.0