Math#
Introduction#
Math includes both built-in Python functions and the full math module, which is automatically available in VEXcode GO. These tools allow you to perform everything from basic arithmetic to advanced trigonometry, rounding, and logarithmic operations.
Use these functions and constants to calculate positions, angles, distances, and other numeric values for your robot. You can also convert between degrees and radians, evaluate expressions, and work with special values like infinity and NaN.
Below is a list of available math functions, constants, and utilities:
Built-in Functions – Common math tools included with Python.
abs – Returns the absolute value of a number.
round – Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places.
min – Returns the smallest of the input values.
max – Returns the largest of the input values.
sum – Adds up all values in an iterable.
divmod – Returns the quotient and remainder as a tuple.
pow – Raises a number to a power, optionally with a modulus.
int – Converts a value to an integer.
float – Converts a value to a floating-point number.
Constants – Predefined values from the math module.
math.pi – The constant π (pi).
math.tau – The constant tau (2π).
math.e – Euler’s number, base of the natural log.
Trigonometry – Calculate angles and relationships between sides.
math.sin – Sine of an angle in radians.
math.cos – Cosine of an angle in radians.
math.tan – Tangent of an angle in radians.
math.atan – Arctangent of a value in radians.
math.atan2 – Arctangent of y/x in radians, considering the quadrant.
math.asin – Arcsine of a value in radians.
math.acos – Arccosine of a value in radians.
math.degrees – Converts radians to degrees.
math.radians – Converts degrees to radians.
Rounding & Absolute Value – Adjust precision or direction.
math.ceil – Rounds up to the nearest integer.
math.floor – Rounds down to the nearest integer.
math.trunc – Removes the decimal portion.
math.fabs – Returns the absolute value as a float.
Exponents & Logarithms – Power, root, and log calculations.
math.pow – Raises a number to a power.
math.sqrt – Returns the square root.
math.exp – Calculates e to the power of x.
math.log – Natural logarithm (base e).
Floating Point Operations – Inspect or decompose float values.
math.modf – Returns the fractional and integer parts of a float.
math.frexp – Decomposes a number into mantissa and exponent.
math.fmod – Remainder with sign of the dividend.
math.copysign – Returns a value with the sign of another.
math.ldexp – Computes
x * (2 ** exp).
Built-In Functions#
Python provides several built-in functions that allow you to perform mathematical operations inside your project.
abs#
abs returns the absolute value of a number, removing any negative sign.
Usage:
abs(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
An integer or float. |
# Get the absolute value of -10
abs_result = abs(-10)
console.print(abs_result)
console.new_line()
# abs_result = 10
round#
round rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places.
Usage:
round(x, ndigits)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
An integer or float. |
|
Optional. The number of decimal places to round to. The default is 0. |
# Round 5.7 to the nearest integer
round_int_result = round(5.7)
console.print(round_int_result)
console.new_line()
# round_int_result = 6
# Round 3.14159 to 2 decimal places
round_result = round(3.14159, 2)
console.print(round_result)
console.new_line()
# round_result = 3.14
min#
min returns the smallest value from multiple arguments or an iterable.
Usage:
min(arg1, arg2, ...) or min(sequence)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
The numbers to compare. |
|
A list, tuple, or other sequence containing numbers. |
# Get the smallest number from 3, 7, and 1
min_result = min(3, 7, 1)
console.print(min_result)
console.new_line()
# min_result = 1
# Get the smallest value from a list
min_list_result = min([10, 4, 25, 1])
console.print(min_list_result)
console.new_line()
# min_list_result = 1
max#
max returns the largest value from multiple arguments or an iterable.
Usage:
max(arg1, arg2, ...) or max(sequence)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
The numbers to compare. |
|
A list, tuple, or other sequence containing numbers. |
# Get the largest number from 3, 7, and 1
max_result = max(3, 7, 1)
console.print(max_result)
console.new_line()
# max_result = 7
# Get the largest value from a list
max_list_result = max([10, 4, 25, 1])
console.print(max_list_result)
console.new_line()
# max_list_result = 25
sum#
sum adds up all values in an iterable, with an optional starting value.
Usage:
sum(sequence, start)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A list, tuple, or other sequence containing numbers. |
|
Optional. A value to add to the sum. Default is 0. |
# Calculate the sum of a list of numbers
sum_result = sum([1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
console.print(sum_result)
console.new_line()
# sum_result = 15
# Calculate the sum of a list with a starting value of 10
sum_with_start = sum([1, 2, 3], 10)
console.print(sum_with_start)
console.new_line()
# sum_with_start = 16
divmod#
divmod returns a tuple containing the quotient and remainder of a division operation.
Usage:
divmod(a, b)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
The dividend. |
|
The divisor. |
# Perform integer division and remainder of 10 / 3
divmod_result = divmod(10, 3)
console.print(divmod_result)
console.new_line()
# divmod_result = (3, 1)
pow#
pow raises a number to a power and optionally performs a modulus operation.
Usage:
pow(x, y, mod)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
The base number. |
|
The exponent. |
|
Optional. A modulus value. If provided, returns |
# Calculate 2 raised to the power of 3
pow_result = pow(2, 3)
console.print(pow_result)
console.new_line()
# pow_result = 8
int#
int converts a number or string into an integer. It also supports base conversion when converting from a string.
Usage:
int(x, base)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A number, string, or other object to convert. |
|
Optional. The number base to use for conversion. Default is 10. |
# Convert a float to an integer to get rid of decimals
price = 19.99
price_int = int(price)
console.print("{} coins".format(price_int))
console.new_line()
# Output: 19 coins
# Convert a string into an integer to use in calculations
user_input = "55"
user_number = int(user_input)
console.print(user_number * 2)
console.new_line()
# Output: 110
float#
float converts a number or string into a floating-point number.
Usage:
float(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A number, string, or other object to convert. |
# Convert division result to a float
num_apples = 6
num_people = 2
apples_per_person = float(num_apples) / num_people
console.print(apples_per_person)
console.new_line()
# Output: 3.00
# Convert a string into a float to use in calculations
user_input = "23.4"
user_number = float(user_input)
console.print(user_number * 3)
console.new_line()
# Output: 70.20
Math Module#
The math module in MicroPython provides additional methods for performing common mathematical calculations. These methods include trigonometric, logarithmic, and other numerical operations.
The math module is imported by default in VEXcode.
Constants#
Constants are predefined values that remain fixed during a project. They can be used in calculations without requiring any definition or assignment.
pi#
pi gives the mathematical constant π, the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
Usage:
math.pi
# Calculate the area of a circle with radius 5 using pi
circle_area = math.pi * 5 * 5
console.print(circle_area)
console.new_line()
# circle_area = 78.54
tau#
tau gives the value of 2π.
Usage:
math.tau
# Calculate the circumference of a circle with radius
circumference = math.tau * 5
console.print(circumference)
console.new_line()
# circumference = 31.42
e#
e gives the base of the natural logarithm.
Usage:
math.e
# Calculate e raised to the power of 2
e_power = math.pow(math.e, 2)
console.print(e_power)
console.new_line()
# e_power = 7.39
Trigonometry#
sin#
sin calculates the sine of an angle in radians and returns a float.
Usage:
math.sin(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer representing an angle in radians. |
# Calculate the sine of
# 30 degrees in radians
result = math.sin(math.radians(30))
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 0.50
cos#
cos calculates the cosine of an angle in radians and returns a float.
Usage:
math.cos(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer representing an angle in radians. |
# Calculate the cosine of
# 60 degrees in radians
result = math.cos(math.radians(60))
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 0.50
tan#
tan calculates the tangent of an angle in radians and returns a float.
Usage:
math.tan(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer representing an angle in radians. |
# Calculate the tangent of
# 45 degrees in radians
result = math.tan(math.radians(45))
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 1.00
asin#
asin calculates the inverse sine (arc sine) of a number and returns a float representing the angle in radians.
Usage:
math.asin(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer between -1 and 1. |
# Calculate the arc sine
# of 0.5 in degrees
result = math.degrees(math.asin(0.5))
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 30.00
acos#
acos calculates the inverse cosine (arc cosine) of a number and returns a float representing the angle in radians.
Usage:
math.acos(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer between -1 and 1. |
# Calculate the arc cosine
# of 0.5 in degrees
result = math.degrees(math.acos(0.5))
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 60.00
atan#
atan calculates the inverse tangent (arc tangent) of a number and returns a float representing the angle in radians.
Usage:
math.atan(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer. |
# Calculate the arc tangent
# of 1 in degrees
arc_tan = math.atan(1.0)
result = math.degrees(arc_tan)
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 45.00
atan2#
atan2 calculates the principal value of the inverse tangent of y/x and returns a float representing the angle in radians.
Usage:
math.atan2(y, x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer representing the y-coordinate. |
|
A float or integer representing the x-coordinate. |
# Calculate the inverse tangent
# of 1/1 in degrees
atan2 = math.atan2(1.0, 1.0)
result = math.degrees(atan2)
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 45.00
degrees#
degrees converts an angle from radians to degrees.
Usage:
math.degrees(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer representing an angle in radians. |
# Convert pi radians to degrees
degrees_result = math.degrees(math.pi)
console.print(degrees_result)
console.new_line()
# degrees_result = 180.00
radians#
radians converts an angle from degrees to radians.
Usage:
math.radians(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer representing an angle in degrees. |
# Convert 180 degrees to radians
radians_result = math.radians(180)
console.print(radians_result)
console.new_line()
# radians_result = 3.14
Rounding & Absolute Values#
ceil#
ceil rounds a number up to the nearest integer.
Usage:
math.ceil(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer to be rounded up. |
# Round 3.7 up to the nearest integer
ceil_result = math.ceil(3.7)
console.print(ceil_result)
console.new_line()
# ceil_result = 4
floor#
floor rounds a number down to the nearest integer.
Usage:
math.floor(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer to be rounded down. |
# Round 3.7 down to the nearest integer
floor_result = math.floor(3.7)
console.print(floor_result)
console.new_line()
# floor_result = 3
trunc#
trunc removes the decimal part of a number without rounding.
Usage:
math.trunc(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float to be truncated. |
# Remove the decimal part of 3.7
trunc_result = math.trunc(3.7)
console.print(trunc_result)
console.new_line()
# trunc_result = 3
fabs#
fabs returns the absolute value of a number as a float.
Usage:
math.fabs(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer. |
# Get the absolute value of -3.7
fabs_result = math.fabs(-3.7)
console.print(fabs_result)
console.new_line()
# fabs_result = 3.70
Exponents & Logarithms#
log#
log calculates the natural logarithm of a number and returns a float.
Usage:
math.log(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A positive float or integer. |
# Calculate the natural logarithm
# (base e) of 7.389056
log_result = math.log(7.389056)
console.print(log_result)
console.new_line()
# log_result = 2.00
pow#
pow raises x to the power of y and returns a float, even if both inputs are integers.
Usage:
math.pow(x, y)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer base. |
|
A float or integer exponent. |
# Calculate 2 raised to the power of 3
power_result = math.pow(2, 3)
console.print(power_result)
console.new_line()
# power_result = 8.00
sqrt#
sqrt calculates the square root of a number and returns a float, even for perfect squares.
Usage:
math.sqrt(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A non-negative float or integer. |
# Calculate the square root of 16
sqrt_result = math.sqrt(16)
console.print(sqrt_result)
console.new_line()
# sqrt_result = 4.00
exp#
exp calculates the exponential of a number and returns a float.
Usage:
math.exp(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer. |
# Calculate e raised to the power of 1
exp_result = math.exp(1)
console.print(exp_result)
console.new_line()
# exp_result = 2.72
Floating Point Operations#
modf#
modf decomposes a number into its fractional and integer parts and returns a tuple (fractional part, integer part), both as floats.
Usage:
math.modf(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer to decompose. |
# Decompose 3.14159 into fractional and integer parts
fractional_part, integer_part = math.modf(3.14159)
console.print(fractional_part)
console.new_line()
console.print(integer_part)
console.new_line()
# fractional_part = 0.14
# integer_part = 3.00
frexp#
frexp decomposes a number into its mantissa and exponent and returns a tuple (mantissa, exponent), where the mantissa is a float and the exponent is an integer.
Usage:
math.frexp(x)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A float or integer to decompose. |
# Decompose 16 into its mantissa and exponent
mantissa, exponent = math.frexp(16)
console.print(mantissa)
console.new_line()
console.print(exponent)
console.new_line()
# mantissa = 0.50
# exponent = 5
fmod#
fmod returns the remainder of division while keeping the sign of the dividend (x).
Usage:
math.fmod(x, y)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
The dividend. |
|
The divisor. |
# Calculate remainder of 10 / 3
# that preserves the sign of 10
fmod_result = math.fmod(10, 3)
console.print(fmod_result)
console.new_line()
# fmod_result = 1.00
copysign#
copysign returns x with the sign of y.
Usage:
math.copysign(x, y)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
The value to modify. |
|
The value whose sign will be copied. |
# Return -10 with the sign of 3 (positive)
copysign_result = math.copysign(-10, 3)
console.print(copysign_result)
console.new_line()
# copysign_result = 10.00
ldexp#
ldexp computes x * (2 ** exp), which is equivalent to x * 2<sup>exp</sup>.
Usage:
math.ldexp(x, exp)
Parameter |
Description |
|---|---|
|
The base value. |
|
The exponent. |
# Compute 3 * (2 ** 4)
ldexp_result = math.ldexp(3, 4)
console.print(ldexp_result)
console.new_line()
# ldexp_result = 48.00