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 – Calculate the logarithm of x.
math.log10 – alculates the base-10 logarithm of x.
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. |
def main():
# Get the absolute value of -10
abs_result = abs(-10)
console.print(abs_result)
console.new_line()
# abs_result = 10
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
def main():
# Round 3.14159 to 2 decimal places
round_result = round(3.14159, 2)
console.print(round_result)
console.new_line()
# round_result = 3.14
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
divmod#
divmod
returns a tuple containing the quotient and remainder of a division operation.
Usage:
divmod(a, b)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
The dividend. |
|
The divisor. |
def main():
# Perform integer division and remainder of 10 / 3
divmod_result = divmod(10, 3)
console.print(divmod_result)
console.new_line()
# divmod_result = (3, 1)
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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 |
def main():
# Calculate 2 raised to the power of 3
pow_result = pow(2, 3)
console.print(pow_result)
console.new_line()
# pow_result = 8
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
tau#
tau
gives the value of 2π.
Usage:
math.tau
def main():
# Calculate the circumference of a circle with radius
circumference = math.tau * 5
console.print(circumference)
console.new_line()
# circumference = 31.42
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
e#
e
gives the base of the natural logarithm.
Usage:
math.e
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# Calculate the sine of
# 30 degrees in radians
result = math.sin(math.radians(30))
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 0.50
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# Calculate the cosine of
# 60 degrees in radians
result = math.cos(math.radians(60))
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 0.50
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# Calculate the tangent of
# 45 degrees in radians
result = math.tan(math.radians(45))
console.print(result)
console.new_line()
# result = 1.00
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
degrees#
degrees
converts an angle from radians to degrees.
Usage:
math.degrees(x)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
A float or integer representing an angle in radians. |
def main():
# Convert pi radians to degrees
degrees_result = math.degrees(math.pi)
console.print(degrees_result)
console.new_line()
# degrees_result = 180.00
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
radians#
radians
converts an angle from degrees to radians.
Usage:
math.radians(x)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
A float or integer representing an angle in degrees. |
def main():
# Convert 180 degrees to radians
radians_result = math.radians(180)
console.print(radians_result)
console.new_line()
# radians_result = 3.14
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# Round 3.7 up to the nearest integer
ceil_result = math.ceil(3.7)
console.print(ceil_result)
console.new_line()
# ceil_result = 4
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
floor#
floor
rounds a number down to the nearest integer.
Usage:
math.floor(x)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
A float or integer to be rounded down. |
def main():
# Round 3.7 down to the nearest integer
floor_result = math.floor(3.7)
console.print(floor_result)
console.new_line()
# floor_result = 3
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
trunc#
trunc
removes the decimal part of a number without rounding.
Usage:
math.trunc(x)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
A float to be truncated. |
def main():
# Remove the decimal part of 3.7
trunc_result = math.trunc(3.7)
console.print(trunc_result)
console.new_line()
# trunc_result = 3
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
fabs#
fabs
returns the absolute value of a number as a float.
Usage:
math.fabs(x)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
A float or integer. |
def main():
# Get the absolute value of -3.7
fabs_result = math.fabs(-3.7)
console.print(fabs_result)
console.new_line()
# fabs_result = 3.70
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
Exponents & Logarithms#
log#
log
calculates the logarithm of a number and returns a float.
Usage:
math.log(x, base)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
A positive float or integer. |
|
Optional. The logarithm base to use. By default this is the natural logarithm. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
def main():
# Calculate the log base 2 of 8
log_result = math.log(8, 2)
console.print(log_result)
console.new_line()
# log_result = 3
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
log10#
log10
calculates the base-10 logarithm of a number and returns a float.
Usage:
math.log10(x)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
A positive float or integer. |
def main():
# Calculate the base-10 logarithm of 100
log10_result = math.log10(100)
console.print(log10_result)
console.new_line()
# log10_result = 2
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
exp#
exp
calculates the exponential of a number and returns a float.
Usage:
math.exp(x)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
A float or integer. |
def main():
# Calculate e raised to the power of 1
exp_result = math.exp(1)
console.print(exp_result)
console.new_line()
# exp_result = 2.72
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
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. |
def main():
# 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
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)
ldexp#
ldexp
computes x * (2 ** exp)
, which is equivalent to x * 2exp{code}
.
Usage:
math.ldexp(x, exp)
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
|
The base value. |
|
The exponent. |
def main():
# Compute 3 * (2 ** 4)
ldexp_result = math.ldexp(3, 4)
console.print(ldexp_result)
console.new_line()
# ldexp_result = 48.00
# Start threads — Do not delete
start_thread(main)