JavaScript Math sign()

The sign() method computes the sign of the specified number and returns 1 if the number is positive and -1 if it's negative.

Example

// sign() with a positive number
let value = Math.sign(126);
console.log(value); 

// Output:  1

sign() Syntax

The syntax of the Math.sign() method is:

Math.sign(number)

Here, sign() is a static method. Hence, we are accessing the method using the class name, Math.


sign() Parameter

The Math.sign() method takes a single parameter:

  • number - value whose sign is to be determined

sign() Return Value

The sign() method returns:

  • 1 if the argument is positive
  • -1 if the argument is negative
  • NaN (Not a Number) for a non-numeric argument

Example 1: JavaScript Math.sign()

// sign() with negative argument let value1 = Math.sign(-27);
console.log(value1);
// sign() with positive argument let value2 = Math.sign(16);
console.log(value2); // Output: // -1 // 1

Here, the Math.sign() returns

  • -1 - for the negative number -27
  • 1 - for the positive number 16

Example 2: Math.sign() with Non-Numeric Arguments

let string = "Harry";
// sign() with non-numeric argument let result = Math.sign(string);
console.log(result); // Output: NaN

In the above example, we have used the Math.sign() method with a string value "Harry". Hence, we get NaN as output.


Example 3: Math.sign() with Zero Values

// sign() with negative zero let value1 = Math.sign(-0);
console.log(value1); // Output: -0
// sign() with positive zero let value2 = Math.sign(0);
console.log(value2); // Output: 0

Also Read:

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