`Math.Abs`

This VB.NET function returns the absolute value of a number. In mathematics the absolute value of a number is positive.

The numbers -10 and 10 both have the absolute value of 10. In VB.NET, the Math.Abs function provides this capability.

Example

This program uses Integer and Double types with the Math.Abs function. Only the negative inputs have a different absolute value.

Info The value -1000 has an absolute value of 1000. And -100.123 has an absolute value of 100.123.

Tip The value returned from Math.Abs is of the same type as the value you pass to it.

So If you pass a Double as the argument to Math.Abs, it also returns a Double.

Module Module1
    Sub Main()
        ' Absolute values of integers.
        Dim value1 As Integer = -1000
        Dim value2 As Integer = 20
        Dim abs1 As Integer = Math.Abs(value1)
        Dim abs2 As Integer = Math.Abs(value2)

        Console.WriteLine(value1)
        Console.WriteLine(abs1)
        Console.WriteLine(value2)
        Console.WriteLine(abs2)

        ' Absolute values of doubles.
        Dim value3 As Double = -100.123
        Dim value4 As Double = 20.2
        Dim abs3 As Double = Math.Abs(value3)
        Dim abs4 As Double = Math.Abs(value4)

        Console.WriteLine(value3)
        Console.WriteLine(abs3)
        Console.WriteLine(value4)
        Console.WriteLine(abs4)
    End Sub
End Module-1000
1000
20
20
-100.123
100.123
20.2
20.2

Internals

The internal code of Math.Abs depends on the value type. On some types, such as Integer, the function simply tests for a negative number and then negates it.

Also For types such as Decimal and Double, other methods are internally called.

Computing absolute values of a number is useful in many programs. It is useful even in functions that compute hashes. The .NET Math.Abs function is convenient and well-tested.