Python abs() keyword

The abs() function returns the absolute value of a number, removing any negative sign.

print(abs(-10))

Output:

10

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Syntax:

abs(number)

The number can be positive or negative, and abs() returns its distance from zero, which is always a positive value.

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Common Use Cases:

To calculate the difference between two points, like distance on a number line, without worrying about direction (negative or positive values).

Calculating distances:

distance = abs(x2 - x1)

Converting negative financial losses into positive values:

loss = abs(-500)  # Outputs 500

Return Absolute Value of a Complex Number:

complex_num = abs(3 + 4j)  # Magnitude of the complex number

print(complex_num)

Output:

5.0

Working with mathematical formulas like finding magnitude in physics or statistics.

Finding Magnitude in Physics:

force = abs(-50)  # Magnitude of force is 50

Normalizing data for machine learning, where negatives may not have significance.

Normalizing Data in Machine Learning:

value = abs(-0.75)  # Convert negative data to positive for consistency

Handling Temperature Differences:

temp_difference = abs(-10 - 15)  # Output: 25 (absolute difference)