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# Function abs

Calculate the absolute value of a number. For matrices, the function is
evaluated element wise.


## Syntax

```js
math.abs(x)
```

### Parameters

Parameter | Type | Description
--------- | ---- | -----------
`x` | number &#124; BigNumber &#124; Fraction &#124; Complex &#124; Array &#124; Matrix &#124; Unit |  A number or matrix for which to get the absolute value

### Returns

Type | Description
---- | -----------
number &#124; BigNumber &#124; Fraction &#124; Complex &#124; Array &#124; Matrix &#124; Unit |  Absolute value of `x`


## Examples

```js
math.abs(3.5);                // returns number 3.5
math.abs(-4.2);               // returns number 4.2

math.abs([3, -5, -1, 0, 2]);  // returns Array [3, 5, 1, 0, 2]
```


## See also

[sign](sign.md)