The abs() Command

Command Summary

Returns the absolute value of an argument.

Command Syntax

abs(expression)

Menu Location

This command can't be found in any menu besides the command catalog.

Calculator Compatibility

This command works on all calculators.

The abs() command returns the absolute value of an expression. The absolute value of a real number is the number of units from 0 the number is. The absolute value of 7 for example is 7 becasue it is that many units away from zero. The absolute value of -7 however is 7. So it in a way gets rid of the negative.

The absolute value of a complex or imaginary number can also be taken, but it is done a little differently. If a complex number is written a+bi, then the absolute value of the number is √(a²+b²).

abs(5)
       5
abs(-5)
       5
abs(3+4i)
       5

Related Commands

• Negation ( ^- )