How do I find the difference between two values without knowing which is larger?

python function numbers distance
Rapid picture Rapid · Nov 28, 2012 · Viewed 115.3k times · Source

I was wondering if there was a function built into Python that can determine the distance between two rational numbers but without me telling it which number is larger. e.g.

>>>distance(6,3)
3
>>>distance(3,6)
3

Obviously I could write a simple definition to calculate which is larger and then just do a simple subtraction:

def distance(x, y):
    if x >= y:
        result = x - y
    else:
        result = y - x
    return result

but I'd rather not have to call a custom function like this. From my limited experience I've often found Python has a built in function or a module that does exactly what you want and quicker than your code does it. Hopefully someone can tell me there is a built in function that can do this.

Answer

NPE picture NPE · Nov 28, 2012

abs(x-y) will do exactly what you're looking for:

In [1]: abs(1-2)
Out[1]: 1

In [2]: abs(2-1)
Out[2]: 1

Related questions

Call a function from another file?

Set_up: I have a .py file for each function I need to use in a program. In this program, I need to call the function from the external files. I've tried: from file.py import function(a,b) But …

Read More
Python 3: UnboundLocalError: local variable referenced before assignment

The following code gives the error UnboundLocalError: local variable 'Var1' referenced before assignment: Var1 = 1 Var2 = 0 def function(): if Var2 == 0 and Var1 > 0: print("Result One") elif Var2 == 1 and Var1 > 0: print("Result Two") elif Var1 < 1: print("Result Three") …

Read More
Run function from the command line

I have this code: def hello(): return 'Hi :)' How would I run this directly from the command line?

Read More