javascript get magnitude of number

JavaScript Get Magnitude of Number

If you are working with numbers in JavaScript, there may be instances where you need to find the magnitude of a number. The magnitude of a number is essentially the number's absolute value or distance from zero.

Using Math.abs() Method

The easiest way to get the magnitude of a number in JavaScript is by using the Math.abs() method. This method returns the absolute value of a number, which is the positive version of the number regardless of whether it was originally positive or negative.


let number = -5;
let magnitude = Math.abs(number);
console.log(magnitude); // Output: 5

Using Ternary Operator

Another way to get the magnitude of a number is by using a ternary operator. This method is useful if you need to perform additional logic based on whether the number is positive or negative.


let number = -5;
let magnitude = (number >= 0) ? number : -number;
console.log(magnitude); // Output: 5

Using Bitwise OR Operator

A more efficient way to get the magnitude of a number is by using a bitwise OR operator. This method works because the bitwise OR operator effectively converts negative numbers to positive numbers by flipping their sign bit.


let number = -5;
let magnitude = (number ^ (number >> 31)) - (number >> 31);
console.log(magnitude); // Output: 5

Regardless of which method you choose, getting the magnitude of a number in JavaScript is relatively straightforward. It's important to remember that the magnitude of a number is simply its absolute value or distance from zero.

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