ABS()

Syntax. ABS(number)

Definition. This function returns the absolute value of a number. The absolute value of a number is the number without its sign.

Argument

• number (required) The real number for which you want the absolute value

Background. Consider the following scenario: The integers 3 and –3 are located respectively on the right and left sides of 0 on a number line. However, both integers have the same distance to 0. Thus, both numbers have the same absolute value (see Figure 16-1).

Figure 16-1. Both integers are the same distance from 0.

Absolute values are enclosed in two vertical bars:

|a| = |-a|

Example. Absolute values are used in numerous math formulas, for example, in the definition of the artanh. In the following formula, the value x is defined as an absolute value:

More examples for this function are:

• =ABS(-18) returns the absolute value 18.

• =ABS(-3.47) returns the absolute value 3.47.

• =ABS(5) returns the absolute value 5.

See Also

IMABS(), SIGN(), engineering functions

Sample Files

Use the ROUND worksheet in the Chapter16.xls or Chapter16.xlsx sample file. The sample files are found in the Chapter16 folder. For more information about the sample files, see the section titled Using the Sample Files.