Java Math abs() example

In this guide, you will learn about the Math abs() method in Java programming and how to use it with an example.

1. Math abs() Method Overview

Definition:

The abs() method of Java's Math class returns the absolute value of the given number. An absolute value refers to the non-negative value of a number without its sign.

Syntax:

1. Math.abs(a)

Parameters:

- a: The argument whose absolute value is to be determined. This could be of type int, long, float, or double.

Key Points:

- The abs() method is overloaded in the Math class to handle different data types.

- If the argument is not a number (e.g., NaN for floats and doubles), the result will be NaN.

- For integer types, if the value is Integer.MIN_VALUE or Long.MIN_VALUE, the result will be the same negative value because it's out of range for positive values.

2. Math abs() Method Example

public class AbsExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int intVal = -42;
        double doubleVal = -42.42;
        float floatVal = -42.0f;
        long longVal = -42L;

        // Absolute value of int
        int absInt = Math.abs(intVal);
        System.out.println("Absolute value of " + intVal + ": " + absInt);

        // Absolute value of double
        double absDouble = Math.abs(doubleVal);
        System.out.println("Absolute value of " + doubleVal + ": " + absDouble);

        // Absolute value of float
        float absFloat = Math.abs(floatVal);
        System.out.println("Absolute value of " + floatVal + ": " + absFloat);

        // Absolute value of long
        long absLong = Math.abs(longVal);
        System.out.println("Absolute value of " + longVal + ": " + absLong);

        // Special case for Integer.MIN_VALUE
        System.out.println("Absolute value of Integer.MIN_VALUE: " + Math.abs(Integer.MIN_VALUE));
    }
}

Output:

Absolute value of -42: 42
Absolute value of -42.42: 42.42
Absolute value of -42.0: 42.0
Absolute value of -42: 42
Absolute value of Integer.MIN_VALUE: -2147483648

Explanation:

In the example:

1. The negative integer -42 is converted to its absolute value 42.

2. The negative double -42.42 is converted to its absolute value 42.42.

3. The negative float -42.0f is converted to its absolute value 42.0.

4. The negative long -42L is converted to its absolute value 42.

5. The special case of Integer.MIN_VALUE shows that the absolute value of the smallest (most negative) int value results in the same value because converting it to positive would be out of the range of the int data type.

Related Java Math class method examples

Comments