--- title: Python Abs Function --- `abs()` is a built-in function in Python 3, to compute the absolute value of any number. The absolute value of a number "means only how far a number is from 0" ¹ It takes one argument `x`. The argument can even be a complex number, and in that case its modulus is returned. ## Argument It takes one argument `x` - an integer, or decimal, or a complex number. ## Return Value The return value would be a positive number or zero. Even if complex number is passed, it would return its magnitude, computed as per complex number algebra. ## Code Sample ```python print(abs(3.4)) # prints 3.4 print(abs(-6)) # prints 6 print(abs(3 + 4j)) # prints 5.0, because |3 + 4j| = 5 ``` 🚀 Run Code Official Docs ### Sources 1. Math Is Fun. Accessed: October 25, 2017