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M
myDavey
Inspiring
June 11, 2013
Answered

Which of 2 numbers are closest to 0

  • June 11, 2013
  • 1 reply
  • 1468 views

Hello,

Although this might be a general question, I would like to seek some help from the forum.

I am running a script and I have a function which receives 2 numbers (variables)

I would like to know which of the 2 is closest to 0

I.e., if the numbers are 5, -2 = -2 is closer etc.

Is there someone who can offer some method or function that can help me with this.

(I made 2 loops that counts how many times it took the number to get to 0

but I believe there is a better way.)

Thanks,

Davey

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer dln385
function minMagnitude(a, b) {
    return Math.abs(a) < Math.abs(b) ? a : b;
}

If you're unfamiliar with that syntax, here's an equivalent method:

function minMagnitude(a, b) {
    if (Math.abs(a) < Math.abs(b)) {
        return a;
    } else {
        return b;
    }
}

And here's another equivalent method:

function minMagnitude(a, b) {
    var absA;
    if (a < 0) {
        absA = -a;
    } else {
        absA = a;
    }
    
    var absB;
    if (b < 0) {
        absB = -b;
    } else {
        absB = b;
    }
    
    if (absA < absB) {
        return a;
    } else {
        return b;
    }
}

But really, I would stick with the first one.

1 reply

D
dln385Correct answer
Inspiring
June 11, 2013
function minMagnitude(a, b) {
    return Math.abs(a) < Math.abs(b) ? a : b;
}

If you're unfamiliar with that syntax, here's an equivalent method:

function minMagnitude(a, b) {
    if (Math.abs(a) < Math.abs(b)) {
        return a;
    } else {
        return b;
    }
}

And here's another equivalent method:

function minMagnitude(a, b) {
    var absA;
    if (a < 0) {
        absA = -a;
    } else {
        absA = a;
    }
    
    var absB;
    if (b < 0) {
        absB = -b;
    } else {
        absB = b;
    }
    
    if (absA < absB) {
        return a;
    } else {
        return b;
    }
}

But really, I would stick with the first one.

Peter Kahrel
Community Expert
Peter KahrelCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 11, 2013

Or this:

function minMagnitude(a, b) {
    return Math.min (Math.abs(a), Math.abs(b))
}

Peter

D
dln385
Inspiring
June 11, 2013

I considered that, but it actually doesn't work. minMagnitude(5,-2) should return -2, not 2.

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