JavaScript Math Object

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JavaScript Math Object
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The JavaScript Math object allows you to perform mathematical tasks on numbers.

Example
Math.PI;            // returns 3.141592653589793
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Math.round()
Math.round(x) returns the value of x rounded to its nearest integer:

Example
Math.round(4.7);    // returns 5
Math.round(4.4);    // returns 4
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Math.pow()
Math.pow(x, y) returns the value of x to the power of y:

Example
Math.pow(8, 2);      // returns 64
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Math.sqrt()
Math.sqrt(x) returns the square root of x:

Example
Math.sqrt(64);      // returns 8
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Math.abs()
Math.abs(x) returns the absolute (positive) value of x:

Example
Math.abs(-4.7);     // returns 4.7
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Math.ceil()
Math.ceil(x) returns the value of x rounded up to its nearest integer:

Example
Math.ceil(4.4);     // returns 5
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Math.floor()
Math.floor(x) returns the value of x rounded down to its nearest integer:

Example
Math.floor(4.7);    // returns 4
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Math.sin()
Math.sin(x) returns the sine (a value between -1 and 1) of the angle x (given in radians).

If you want to use degrees instead of radians, you have to convert degrees to radians:

Angle in radians = Angle in degrees x PI / 180.

Example
Math.sin(90 * Math.PI / 180);     // returns 1 (the sine of 90 degrees)
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Math.cos()
Math.cos(x) returns the cosine (a value between -1 and 1) of the angle x (given in radians).

If you want to use degrees instead of radians, you have to convert degrees to radians:

Angle in radians = Angle in degrees x PI / 180.

Example
Math.cos(0 * Math.PI / 180);     // returns 1 (the cos of 0 degrees)
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Math.min() and Math.max()
Math.min() and Math.max() can be used to find the lowest or highest value in a list of arguments:

Example
Math.min(0, 150, 30, 20, -8, -200);  // returns -200
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Example
Math.max(0, 150, 30, 20, -8, -200);  // returns 150
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Math.random()
Math.random() returns a random number between 0 (inclusive),  and 1 (exclusive):

Example
Math.random();     // returns a random number
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You will learn more about Math.random() in the next chapter of this tutorial.

Math Properties (Constants)
JavaScript provides 8 mathematical constants that can be accessed with the Math object:

Example
Math.E        // returns Euler's number
Math.PI       // returns PI
Math.SQRT2    // returns the square root of 2
Math.SQRT1_2  // returns the square root of 1/2
Math.LN2      // returns the natural logarithm of 2
Math.LN10     // returns the natural logarithm of 10
Math.LOG2E    // returns base 2 logarithm of E
Math.LOG10E   // returns base 10 logarithm of E
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Math Constructor
Unlike other global objects, the Math object has no constructor. Methods and properties are static.

All methods and properties (constants) can be used without creating a Math object first.

Math Object Methods
Method Description
abs(x) Returns the absolute value of x
acos(x) Returns the arccosine of x, in radians
asin(x) Returns the arcsine of x, in radians
atan(x) Returns the arctangent of x as a numeric value between -PI/2 and PI/2 radians
atan2(y, x) Returns the arctangent of the quotient of its arguments
ceil(x) Returns the value of x rounded up to its nearest integer
cos(x) Returns the cosine of x (x is in radians)
exp(x) Returns the value of Ex
floor(x) Returns the value of x rounded down to its nearest integer
log(x) Returns the natural logarithm (base E) of x
max(x, y, z, ..., n) Returns the number with the highest value
min(x, y, z, ..., n) Returns the number with the lowest value
pow(x, y) Returns the value of x to the power of y
random() Returns a random number between 0 and 1
round(x) Returns the value of x rounded to its nearest integer
sin(x) Returns the sine of x (x is in radians)
sqrt(x) Returns the square root of x
tan(x) Returns the tangent of an angle
Complete Math Reference
For a complete reference, go to our complete Math object reference.

The reference contains descriptions and examples of all Math properties and methods.

Test Yourself with Exercises!
Exercise 1 »   Exercise 2 »   Exercise 3 »   Exercise 4 »


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