Why Math.abs() is giving negative output??????

[Munish Dabra]

import java.lang.Math;
class MathAbsSup
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
System.out.println(Math.abs(Integer.MIN_VALUE));

}
}
//Why Math.abs() is giving negative output??? (-2147483648)

[Vegad Arvind]

Hi,
I'm getting the same result. check the Integer Leteral range.

Integer.MIN_VALUE = -2147483648
Integer.MAX_VALUE = 2147483647
1. (Math.abs(Integer.MIN_VALUE)) // prints -2147483648
2. (Math.abs(-2147483648)) // prints -2147483648
3. (Math.abs(-2147483647)) // prints 2147483647

line 1 and 2 's output as per abs function,it should be positive
2147483648 , but the value it is out of range.

Decimal Int literals must be in the range -2147483648
to 2147483647.

Best Regards
Arvind

[Jane Griscti]

Hi Munish,
The answer is in the API; check <code>java.lang.Math.abs(Integer)</code>

Note that if the argument is equal to the value of Integer.MIN_VALUE, the most negative representable int value,
the result is that same value, which is negative.

Hope that helps.
Jane

[Sam Wong]

To get the desired effect. Cast it to long first. For instance,
Math.abs((long)Integer.MIN_VALUE) will return 2147483648. The absolute value of the MIN_VALUE exceeds the stoarge capacity of the type so by increasing the capacity, you're able to get the absolute value.