Math.max() / min() / abs() / random()

Methods for comparing numbers and performing mathematical calculations. You can find maximum and minimum values, generate random numbers, and compute absolute values, powers, and square roots.

Syntax

// Returns the largest value.
var num = Math.max(value1, value2, ...);

// Returns the smallest value.
var num = Math.min(value1, value2, ...);

// Returns a random number between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive).
var num = Math.random();

// Returns the absolute value.
var num = Math.abs(number);

// Returns the result of raising base to the power of exponent.
var num = Math.pow(base, exponent);

// Returns the square root.
var num = Math.sqrt(number);

Method List

Method	Description
Math.max(val1, val2, ...)	Returns the largest number among the arguments. Returns `-Infinity` if no arguments are provided.
Math.min(val1, val2, ...)	Returns the smallest number among the arguments. Returns `Infinity` if no arguments are provided.
Math.random()	Returns a pseudo-random number in the range [0, 1). Takes no arguments.
Math.abs(number)	Returns the absolute value of a number. Negative numbers are converted to positive; positive numbers are returned as-is.
Math.pow(base, exponent)	Returns the value of base raised to the power of exponent. In ES6 and later, the `**` operator performs the same calculation.
Math.sqrt(number)	Returns the square root of a number. Returns `NaN` if a negative number is passed.

Sample Code

// Use Math.max() and Math.min() to find the largest and smallest values.
console.log(Math.max(10, 25, 3)); // Outputs '25'.
console.log(Math.min(10, 25, 3)); // Outputs '3'.

// Use the spread syntax to find the max/min of an array.
var scores = [85, 92, 78, 96, 88];
console.log(Math.max(...scores)); // Outputs '96'.
console.log(Math.min(...scores)); // Outputs '78'.

// Use Math.random() to generate a random number.
console.log(Math.random()); // Outputs a random number between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive).

// Practical example: simulating a six-sided dice roll.
var dice = Math.floor(Math.random() * 6) + 1;
console.log(dice); // Outputs a random integer from 1 to 6.

// A function that generates a random integer within a specified range.
function getRandomInt(min, max) {
	return Math.floor(Math.random() * (max - min + 1)) + min;
}
console.log(getRandomInt(10, 20)); // Outputs a random integer from 10 to 20.

// Use Math.abs() to get the absolute value.
console.log(Math.abs(-15)); // Outputs '15'.
console.log(Math.abs(15));  // Outputs '15'.

// Practical example: finding the difference between two points.
var a = 30;
var b = 75;
console.log(Math.abs(a - b)); // Outputs '45'. The result is always positive regardless of which value is larger.

// Use Math.pow() to compute a power.
console.log(Math.pow(2, 10)); // Outputs '1024'. This is 2 to the 10th power.
console.log(2 ** 10);         // Outputs '1024'. The ES6 exponentiation operator gives the same result.

// Use Math.sqrt() to compute a square root.
console.log(Math.sqrt(144)); // Outputs '12'.
console.log(Math.sqrt(2));   // Outputs '1.4142135623730951'.

Overview

The Math object is a built-in object that provides mathematical constants and functions. It is not a constructor, so you never write new Math(). Instead, you call all of its methods directly, like Math.max().

Math.random() returns a random number between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive). Because that raw value is rarely useful on its own, it is commonly combined with Math.floor() to produce an integer. To generate a random integer from 1 to N, use the pattern Math.floor(Math.random() * N) + 1. Note that Math.random() is not cryptographically secure, so it is not suitable for security-sensitive purposes such as password generation.

Math.pow() can be replaced by the exponentiation operator ** introduced in ES6. The Math object also provides useful constants such as Math.PI (the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter) and Math.E (the base of natural logarithms).