12.5. Math Methods

As with strings and arrays, JavaScript provides some built-in methods for the Math object. These allow us to perform calculations or tasks that are more involved than simple multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction.

12.5.1. Common Math Methods

The Math object contains over 30 methods. The table below provides a sample of the most frequently used options. More complete lists can be found here:

1. W3 Schools Math Reference

2. MDN Web Docs

To see detailed examples for a particular method, click on its name.

Ten Common Math Methods

Method	Syntax	Description
abs	Math.abs(number)	Returns the positive value of number.
ceil	Math.ceil(number)	Rounds the decimal number UP to the closest integer value.
floor	Math.floor(number)	Rounds the decimal number DOWN to the closest integer value.
max	Math.max(x,y,z,...)	Returns the largest value from a set of numbers.
min	Math.min(x,y,z,...)	Returns the smallest value from a set of numbers.
pow	Math.pow(x,y)	Returns the value of x raised to the power of y (x y).
random	Math.random()	Returns a random decimal value between 0 and 1, NOT including 1.
round	Math.round(number)	Returns number rounded to the nearest integer value.
sqrt	Math.sqrt(number)	Returns the square root of number.
trunc	Math.trunc(number)	Removes any decimals and returns the integer part of number.

12.5.2. Check Your Understanding

Follow the links in the table above for the floor, random, round, and trunc methods. Review the content and then answer the following questions.

Question

Which of the following returns -3 when applied to -3.87?

1. Math.floor(-3.87)

2. Math.random(-3.87)

3. Math.round(-3.87)

4. Math.trunc(-3.87)

Question

What is printed by the following program?

let num = Math.floor(Math.random()*10);

console.log(num);

1. A random number between 0 and 9.

2. A random number between 0 and 10.

3. A random number between 1 and 9.

4. A random number between 1 and 10.

Question

What is printed by the following program?

let num = Math.round(Math.random()*10);

console.log(num);

1. A random number between 0 and 9.

2. A random number between 0 and 10.

3. A random number between 1 and 9.

4. A random number between 1 and 10.