# $abs

`$abs` operator helps you in calculating absolute value in an expression. You can use this in any [<mark style="color:blue;">**Expression Object**</mark>](/flow-builder/cql-cosmocloud-query-language/building-expressions.md).

for e.g.&#x20;

If you want to calculate change in temperature&#x20;

* change from 12 degree celcius to 18 degree celcius
* change from 18  degree celcius to 12 degree celcius&#x20;

Both of these should result in 6 degree change but using simple `$subtract` would give result as `6` and `-6` which is not a valid response.

## Syntax

```json
{
    "$abs":<value | expr>
}
```

### Properties

| Field            | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | Required |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- |
| \<value \| expr> | <p>The <code>\<value></code> is any valid number.</p><p>The <code>\<expr></code> expression can be any valid <a href="/pages/E96SHGHwhXp256hQZFJ6"><mark style="color:blue;"><strong>expression</strong></mark></a> as long as it resolves to a number.</p><p></p><p>It can also be a Magical Autocomplete.</p> | true     |

### Returns

`number` - The result of $abs operation

## Examples

### Basic example

```json
{
    "$abs": -5
}
```

The above expression returns **6.0**

### With Nested Expressions

```json
{
    "$abs": { "$subtract": [1, 2] }
}
```

The above expression calculates the nested expression, return **-1** in its place and then the outer `$abs` expression returns **1** overall.

### With Magical Autocomplete

Let's say we have declared a variable `temp` in our API flow, which has a value of -8 currently.

```json
{
    "$abs":"$.variables.temp"
}
```

The above expression would resolve to a result of **8**


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