abs() is a built-in function, so just replace all occurrences of math.abs with abs.
You should also use the isinstance() function for type checking instead of using type() and comparing, for example:
def distance_from_zero(num):
if isinstance(num, (int, float)):
return abs(num)
else:
return "Not an integer or float!"
Note that you may also want to include long and complex as valid numeric types.
W3Schools
w3schools.com › python › ref_func_abs.asp
Python abs() Function
Built-in Modules Random Module ... Bootcamp Python Certificate Python Training ... The abs() function returns the absolute value of the specified number....
Python
docs.python.org › 3 › library › math.html
math — Mathematical functions
2 weeks ago - If x is zero, returns (0.0, 0), otherwise 0.5 <= abs(m) < 1. This is used to “pick apart” the internal representation of a float in a portable way. Note that frexp() has a different call/return pattern than its C equivalents: it takes a single argument and return a pair of values, rather than returning its second return value through an ‘output parameter’ (there is no such thing in Python). math.isclose(a, b, *, rel_tol=1e-09, abs_tol=0.0)¶
Videos
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GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › python › abs-in-python
abs() in Python - GeeksforGeeks
August 30, 2024 - Hence we will use the abs() method to calculate the exact time, distance, and speed. ... We declared 3 functions to calculate speed, distance, and time. Then passed the positive and negative integer and float point values to them using the Python abs() function.
Real Python
realpython.com › ref › builtin-functions › abs
abs() | Python’s Built-in Functions – Real Python
The abs() function in Python returns a number’s absolute value, which is its distance from zero on the number line, regardless of its sign.
Server Academy
serveracademy.com › blog › python-absolute-value-abs-tutorial
Python Absolute Value Abs() Tutorial - Server Academy
The absolute value represents the distance of a number from zero on the number line, always as a positive value, and Python makes it simple to work with absolute values through the built-in abs() function and other methods in the math library.
Python documentation
docs.python.org › 3 › library › functions.html
Built-in Functions — Python 3.14.3 documentation
2 weeks ago - Return the absolute value of a number. The argument may be an integer, a floating-point number, or an object implementing __abs__().
Top answer 1 of 5
29
abs() is a built-in function, so just replace all occurrences of math.abs with abs.
You should also use the isinstance() function for type checking instead of using type() and comparing, for example:
def distance_from_zero(num):
if isinstance(num, (int, float)):
return abs(num)
else:
return "Not an integer or float!"
Note that you may also want to include long and complex as valid numeric types.
2 of 5
2
As others pointed out, abs is builtin so it isn't imported from the math module.
I wanted to comment on your type checking. Another way that is the most "pythonic" is to use a try: except: block to check the type:
def distance_from_zero(num):
try:
return abs(num)
except ValueError:
return "Not an numeric type!"
This takes care of the issue that F.J. pointed out, that long and complex won't be considered. This example uses "duck typing" (if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck). If abs works, your function succeeds. If you supply something abs doesn't know how to handle a ValueError will be raised an it will return your error message.
Programiz
programiz.com › python-programming › methods › built-in › abs
Python abs()
Python Mathematical Functions · Python Random Module · Python Programming Built-in Functions · Python int() The abs() function returns the absolute value of the given number. If the number is a complex number, abs() returns its magnitude. number = -20 · absolute_number = abs(number) ...
LearnDataSci
learndatasci.com › solutions › python-absolute-value
Python Absolute Value – abs() for real and complex numbers – LearnDataSci
In Python, we use j to represent ... \sqrt{6^2+7^2} \approx 9.22$$ Getting the absolute value of a value in Python is quick and easy to do using the abs() function....
Note.nkmk.me
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Get Absolute Values in Python: abs(), math.fabs() - nkmk note
May 11, 2025 - In Python, you can get the absolute value of a number using either the built-in abs() function or the math module's fabs() function.
Codecademy
codecademy.com › article › python-absolute-value-tutorial
How to Use the abs() Function in Python (With Examples) | Codecademy
Learn to use the `abs()` function in Python to calculate absolute values with integers, floating-point numbers, and complex numbers. Explore its syntax, examples, and uses.
Trymito
trymito.io › excel-to-python › functions › math › ABS
Excel to Python: ABS Function - A Complete Guide | Mito
Math · ABS · Related FunctionsSUMROUNDCEIL · Excel's ABS function finds the absolute value of a number. The absolute value of a function is the non-negative value of a number. The absolute value function is commonly used, for example, to ...
Codecademy
codecademy.com › docs › python:numpy › math methods › .abs()
Python:NumPy | Math Methods | .abs() | Codecademy
June 12, 2025 - Calculates the absolute value of a given number or each element in an array.
DataCamp
datacamp.com › tutorial › python-absolute-value-a-quick-tutorial
Python Absolute Value: A Quick Tutorial | DataCamp
April 11, 2024 - There is an alternative method for finding an absolute method in Python: the fabs() method from the math module. This method is designed to offer more precision when working with floats, though it can also accept integers as inputs.
Profound Academy
profound.academy › python-introduction › min-max-abs-DZ25fuVqi5ass7kZdK1v
min max abs - Introduction to Python
November 1, 2024 - When dealing with computations, ... python provides built-in functions min(), max(), and abs() to compute the minimum, maximum, and the absolute value correspondingly....
Vultr Docs
docs.vultr.com › python › built-in › abs
Python abs() - Get Absolute Value | Vultr Docs
September 27, 2024 - The abs() function in Python computes the absolute value of a given number, which is the number's distance from zero on the number line without considering the direction. It’s a built-in function that accepts integers, floating-point numbers, ...
freeCodeCamp
freecodecamp.org › news › python-absolute-value-python-abs-tutorial
Python Absolute Value – Python abs Tutorial
June 20, 2022 - The abs() built-in Python function returns the absolute value of a number. But what is an absolute value of a number in the first place? In mathematics, the absolute value of a number refers to that number's distance from zero.
Scaler
scaler.com › home › topics › python abs() function
Python abs() Function - Scaler topics
December 4, 2023 - It returns the value given as input without the sign with it, that is, the positive value. abs() is a mathematical function. The function abs() is just short for absolute, which returns the absolute value of the input passed in it.
Real Python
realpython.com › python-absolute-value
How to Find an Absolute Value in Python – Real Python
June 4, 2025 - Learn how to calculate the Python absolute value with abs(), implement the math behind it from scratch, and customize it in your own classes.
FavTutor
favtutor.com › blogs › absolute-value-python
Calculate Absolute Value in Python Using abs() Function - FavTutor
April 30, 2022 - Learn how to calculate python absolute value using abs() and math.fabs() functions along with examples and output.