# 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 | BigNumber | Fraction | Complex | Array | Matrix | Unit | A number or matrix for which to get the absolute value ### Returns Type | Description ---- | ----------- number | BigNumber | Fraction | Complex | Array | Matrix | Unit | Absolute value of `x` ### Throws Type | Description ---- | ----------- ## 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)