# abs() function in Python

## Introduction

The `abs()` function returns the absolute value of a number. In case the number is a complex number, it returns its magnitude.

The syntax of the `abs()` function looks like this:

```
abs(n)

```

where n is the number whose absolute value has to be calculated. It can be:

*   an integer
*   a floating-point number
*   a complex number

## Case 1: An Integer

In the case of an integer number as an argument, the `abs()` function returns its absolute value.

```python
>>> abs(3)
3
>>> abs(-3)
3
>>>

```

## Case 2: A Floating-Point Number

In the case of a floating-point number as an argument, the `abs()` function returns its absolute value.

```python
>>> abs(3.2)
3.2
>>> abs(-3.2)
3.2
>>>

```

## Case 3: A Complex Number

**Complex numbers** are the numbers that are expressed in the form of **a+ib** where, a,b are real numbers and ‘i’ is an imaginary number called “***iota***”. The value of i = (√-1).

In Python, a complex number is any number of the form `a + bj`, where `a` and `b` are real numbers, and `j*j` = -1.

In the case of a complex number as an argument, the `abs()` function returns its magnitude.

```python
>>> abs(5 - 12j)
13.0
>>>

```

## Conclusion

In this part, we learned about the Python abs() function with the help of examples.