Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Math.abs() method is a built-in function in Java that returns the absolute value of a number. It takes a single argument and can be used with both integer and floating-point numbers.
Related terms
Argument: An argument is the value that is passed into a method when it is called. In the case of Math.abs(), the argument is the number whose absolute value we want to find.
Built-in Function: A built-in function, like Math.abs(), is a pre-defined function provided by Java that performs a specific task. These functions are ready to use without requiring us to write any additional code.
Floating-Point Number: A floating-point number is a type of numeric data in Java that represents real numbers with fractional parts. It includes decimal values such as 3.14 or -0.5.