19.math module

Python has a set of built-in math functions, including an extensive math module, that allows you to perform mathematical tasks on numbers.

Built-in Math Functions

The min() and max() functions can be used to find the lowest or highest value in an iterable

Example

x = min(5, 10, 25)
y = max(5, 10, 25)

print(x)
>>> 5
print(y)
>>> 25

The abs() function returns the absolute (positive) value of the specified number

Example

x = abs(-7.25)

print(x)
>>> 7.25

The pow(x, y) function returns the value of x to the power of y (xy)

Example

x = pow(4, 3)

print(x)
>>> 64

The Math Module

Python has also a built-in module called math, which extends the list of mathematical functions.
To use it, you must import the math module
import math

When you have imported the math module, you can start using methods and constants of the module.

The math.sqrt() method for example, returns the square root of a number.

Example

import math

x = math.sqrt(64)

print(x)
>>> 8

The math.ceil() method rounds a number upwards to its nearest integer, and the math.floor() method rounds a number downwards to its nearest integer, and returns the result.

Example

import math

x = math.ceil(1.4)
y = math.floor(1.4)

print(x) 
>>> 2
print(y) 
>>> 1

The math.pi constant, returns the value of PI (3.14...).

Example

import math

x = math.pi

print(x)
>>> 3.141592653589793

We have many more methods and attributes in math module, which we can use for mathematical calculations.