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Math (object)

math, math object, built-in object

The Math object is a top-level object that you can access without using a constructor.

Use the methods and properties of this object to access and manipulate mathematical constants and functions. All of the properties and methods of the Math object are static, and must be called using the syntax `Math.method(``parameter``)` or `Math.constant`. In ActionScript, constants are defined with the maximum precision of double-precision IEEE-754 floating-point numbers.

Several of the Math object methods take the radian of an angle as an parameter. You can use the equation below to calculate radian values, or simply pass the equation (entering a value for degrees) for the radian parameter.

To calculate a radian value, use this formula:

    radian = Math.PI/180 * degree

The following is an example of passing the equation as an parameter to calculate the sine of a 45-degree angle:

`Math.SIN(Math.PI/180 * 45)` is the same as `Math.SIN(.7854)`

The Math object is fully supported in Flash Player 5. In Flash Player 4, you can use methods of the Math object, but they are emulated using approximations and may not be as accurate as the non-emulated math functions supported by Flash Player 5.

Method summary for the Math object

Method | Description
--- | ---
`Math.abs` | Computes an absolute value.
`Math.acos` | Computes an arc cosine.
`Math.asin` | Computes an arc sine.
`Math.atan` | Computes an arc tangent.
`Math.atan2` | Computes an angle from the x-axis to the point.
`Math.ceil` | Rounds a number up to the nearest integer.
`Math.cos` | Computes a cosine.
`Math.exp` | Computes an exponential value.
`Math.floor` | Rounds a number down to the nearest integer.
`Math.log` | Computes a natural logarithm.
`Math.max` | Returns the larger of the two integers.
`Math.min` | Returns the smaller of the two integers.
`Math.pow` | Computes `x` raised to the power of the `y`.
`Math.random` | Returns a pseudo-random number between 0.0 and 1.0.
`Math.round` | Rounds to the nearest integer.
`Math.sin` | Computes a sine.
`Math.sqrt` | Computes a square root.
`Math.tan` | Computes a tangent.

Property summary for the Math object

All of the properties for the Math object are constants.

Property | Description
--- | ---
`Math.E` | Euler's constant and the base of natural logarithms (approximately 2.718).
`Math.LN2` | The natural logarithm of 2 (approximately 0.693).
`Math.LOG2E` | The base 2 logarithm of e (approximately 1.442).
`Math.LN10` | The natural logarithm of 10 (approximately 2.302).
`Math.LOG10E` | The base 10 logarithm of e (approximately 0.434).
`Math.PI` | The ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter (approximately 3.14159).
`Math.SQRT1_2` | The reciprocal of the square root of 1/2 (approximately 0.707).
`Math.SQRT2` | The square root of 2 (approximately 1.414).