<doc>

<legacy_id>1097</legacy_id>

<name>abs</name>

<type>function</type>

<syntax>

<example>the abs of <i>number</i></example>

<example>abs(<i>number</i>)</example>

</syntax>

<library></library>

<objects>

</objects>

<synonyms>

</synonyms>

<classification>

<category>Math, Logic, &amp; Dates</category>

</classification>

<references>

<function tag="round">round Function</function>

<function tag="trunc">trunc Function</function>

</references>

<history>

<introduced version="1.0">Added.</introduced>

</history>

<platforms>

<mac/>

<windows/>

<linux/>

<ios/>

<android/>

</platforms>

<classes>

<desktop/>

<server/>

<web/>

<mobile/>

</classes>

<security>

</security>

<summary><glossary tag="return">Returns</glossary> the absolute value of a number.</summary>

<examples>

<example>abs(14)</example>

<example>the abs of -14</example>

<example>abs(firstNum - secondNum)</example>

<example>abs(secondNum - firstNum)</example>

</examples>

<description>

<p>Use the <b>abs</b> <control_st tag="function">function</control_st> if you need to know the magnitude of the number and are not concerned about whether it is negative or not.</p><p> </p><p><b>Parameters:</b></p><p>The <i>number</i> is a positive or <glossary tag="negative">negative</glossary> number, or any <glossary tag="expression">expression</glossary> that <glossary tag="evaluate">evaluates</glossary> to a number.</p><p/><p><b>Value:</b></p><p>The <b>abs</b> <control_st tag="function">function</control_st> <glossary tag="return">returns</glossary> a positive number.</p><p/><p><b>Comments:</b></p><p>The absolute value of a <i>number</i> is that number's distance from zero. If the <i>number</i> is positive, its absolute value is just the number; if the <i>number</i> is <glossary tag="negative">negative</glossary>, its absolute value is the <glossary tag="negative">negative</glossary> of the number. Because of this, the absolute value of a number is always positive.</p>

</description>

</doc>