abs()

abs() Signature

abs(number)

abs() Examples

With integer numbers:

>>> abs(-5)
5
>>> abs(5)
5

With floating-point numbers:

>>> abs(-3.14)
3.14
>>> abs(3.14)
3.14

With complex numbers:

>>> abs(3 + 4j)
5.0

With Fraction values:

>>> from fractions import Fraction
>>> abs(Fraction("1/3"))
Fraction(1, 3)
>>> abs(Fraction("-3/4"))
Fraction(3, 4)

With Decimal values:

>>> from decimal import Decimal
>>> abs(Decimal("0.3333333333333333"))
Decimal('0.3333333333333333')
>>> abs(Decimal("-0.75"))
Decimal('0.75')

abs() Common Use Cases

The most common use cases for the abs() function include the following:

• Determine the distance between two points on a number line.
• Process data in mathematical computations where only positive values are meaningful or allowed.
• Find the magnitude of complex numbers.

abs() Real-World Example

Suppose you’re tracking temperature changes in a city and want to find out how much the temperature fluctuates from the average, regardless of whether it’s a drop or an increase:

>>> temperatures = [22, 25, 18, 30, 15, 28, 21]
>>> average_temp = sum(temperatures) / len(temperatures)
>>> deviations = [abs(temp - average_temp) for temp in temperatures]
>>> print("Absolute deviations:", *deviations, sep="\n")
Absolute deviations:
0.7142857142857153
2.2857142857142847
4.714285714285715
7.285714285714285
7.714285714285715
5.285714285714285
1.7142857142857153

In this example, you compute the temperature deviations from the average temperature using abs().

abs() in Custom Classes

You can support the abs() function in your custom classes. To illustrate, consider the following Vector class:

>>> import math
>>> class Vector:
...     def __init__(self, *coordinates):
...         self.coordinates = coordinates
...     def __abs__(self):
...         return math.hypot(*self.coordinates)
...

>>> abs(Vector(0.42, 1.5, 0.87))
1.7841804841439108

The .__abs__() special method allows you to support abs() in your custom classes. In this example, calling abs() on your Vector class instance returns the correct absolute value, equal to about 1.78.