JavaScript Math Object

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

MethodDescriptionabs(x)Returns the absolute value of xacos(x)Returns the arccosine of x, in radiansasin(x)Returns the arcsine of x, in radiansatan(x)Returns the arctangent of x as a numeric value between -PI/2 and PI/2 radiansatan2(y, x)Returns the arctangent of the quotient of its argumentsceil(x)Returns the value of x rounded up to its nearest integercos(x)Returns the cosine of x (x is in radians)exp(x)Returns the value of E^xfloor(x)Returns the value of x rounded down to its nearest integerlog(x)Returns the natural logarithm (base E) of xmax(x, y, z, ..., n)Returns the number with the highest valuemin(x, y, z, ..., n)Returns the number with the lowest valuepow(x, y)Returns the value of x to the power of yrandom()Returns a random number between 0 and 1round(x)Returns the value of x rounded to its nearest integersin(x)Returns the sine of x (x is in radians)sqrt(x)Returns the square root of xtan(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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