Determine Absolute Value
By Stephen Bucaro
The absolute value is simply the value without a sign, for example the
absolute value of 4, or +4, is the same as the absolute value of -4: 4. If you
are creating an application that requires the absolute value of a number, use
the Java Script Math.abs method.
For example if you are designing a graphics application that lets the user
draw a horizontal line on the screen and you want to display the length of the
line in the applications status bar.
If the user draws a line from point a = 100 pixels to point b = 50 pixels,
we can subtract a - b to get the line length of 50 pixels. But what if the user
draws a line from point a = 50 pixels to point b = 100 pixels? Subtracting
a - b = -50 pixels. A line length of -50 pixels is a little confusing to the user.
We can solve that problem by passing the subtract statement to the Math.abs
method as shown below.
var length = Math.abs(a - b);
The Math.abs method will always return the result as an unsigned number.
More Java Script Code: • Define Lines in a String • Include a Quote Character in a String • Access Web Page Elements With getElementById • Rounding a Number with JavaScript • Format a Number as Currency • The switch / case Structure • Use moveBy Method to Move Window by a Specific Offset • The do/while Loop • Java Script prompt Message Box • Use Escape to Replace Dangerous Characters
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