Find Absolute Value in Python

If it's negative, flip the sign. abs() exists; this is the if version.

BeginnerBasic Python ProgramsExample 18 of 25
find-absolute-value.py
1# Program to find the absolute value of a number
2
3num = float(input("Enter a number: "))
4
5if num < 0:
6 abs_value = -num
7else:
8 abs_value = num
9
10print("Absolute value of", num, "is", abs_value)

Output

Enter a number: -7
Absolute value of -7.0 is 7.0

In this one

  • if n < 0: n = -n
  • abs() is the same thing, shorter

What's going on

Distance from zero. Negative → multiply by -1. Otherwise leave it.

abs(-7) is the builtin. This page writes the if so you see there is no magic.

-0.0 is a weird float. Python still prints it as absolute 0.0 here. Don't chase that.

After this program

If the idea is still fuzzy, read Day 1: Introduction to Python in the Python course. For a short check, try the Python quiz (300 questions). Stay with all 25 basic python programs, or see every topic on Python exercises.