abs() in Python

The Python abs() function return the absolute value. The absolute value of any number is always positive it removes the negative sign of a number in Python. 

Example:

Input: -29
Output: 29

Python abs() Function Syntax

The abs() function in Python has the following syntax:

Syntax: abs(number)

• number: Integer, floating-point number, complex number.

Return: Returns the absolute value.

Python abs() Function Example

Let us see a few examples of the abs() function in Python.

abs() Function with an Integer Argument

In this example, we will pass an Integer value as an argument to the abs() function in Python and print its value to see how it works.

Python3

# An integer
var = -94
print('Absolute value of integer is:', abs(var))

Output:

Absolute value of integer is: 94

abs() Function with a Floating-Point Number

In this example, we will pass a float data into the abs() function and it will return an absolute value.

Python3

# floating point number
float_number = -54.26
print('Absolute value of float is:',
                  abs(float_number))

Output:

Absolute value of float is: 54.26

abs() Function with a Complex Number

In this example, we will pass Python complex number into the abs() function and it will return an absolute value.

Python3

# A complex number
complex_number = (3 - 4j)
print('Absolute value or Magnitude of complex is:', abs(complex_number))

Output:

Absolute value or Magnitude of complex is: 5.0

Time-Distance calculation using Python abs() Function

In this example, the equation shows the relationship between speed, distance traveled, and time taken by an object. We know that speed, time, and distance are never negative. Hence we will use the abs() method to calculate the exact time, distance, and speed.

Formula used: 

• Distance  = Speed * Time
• Time = Distance / Speed
• Speed = Distance / Time

We declared 3 functions to calculate speed, distance, and time. Then passed the positive and negative integer and float point values to them using the Python abs() function. The abs() function will automatically convert the negative values to positive values, which will be used to calculate speed, distance, and time.

Python3

# Function to calculate speed
def cal_speed(dist, time):
    print(" Distance(km) :", dist)
    print(" Time(hr) :", time)
    return dist / time

# Function to calculate distance traveled
def cal_dis(speed, time):
    print(" Time(hr) :", time)
    print(" Speed(km / hr) :", speed)
    return speed * time

# Function to calculate time taken
def cal_time(dist, speed):
    print(" Distance(km) :", dist)
    print(" Speed(km / hr) :", speed)
    return speed * dist


# Driver Code
# Calling function cal_speed()
print(" The calculated Speed(km / hr) is :",
      cal_speed(abs(45.9), abs(-2)))
print("")

# Calling function cal_dis()
print(" The calculated Distance(km) :",
      cal_dis(abs(-62.9), abs(2.5)))
print("")

# Calling function cal_time()
print(" The calculated Time(hr) :",
      cal_time(abs(48.0), abs(4.5)))

Output:

 Distance(km) : 45.9
 Time(hr) : 2
 The calculated Speed(km / hr) is : 22.95

 Time(hr) : 2.5
 Speed(km / hr) : 62.9
 The calculated Distance(km) : 157.25

 Distance(km) : 48.0
 Speed(km / hr) : 4.5
 The calculated Time(hr) : 216.0