Mark Wickens

SGN

Purpose

Returns a value which corresponds to the sign of the argument.

Format

SGN         (argument)
             └──┬───┘ 
       Numeric expression

*The parenthesis enclosing the argument can be omitted when the argument is a numeric value of variable.

Example

SGN(A)

Parameters

argument: Numeric expression

Explanation

Returns a value of -1 when the argument is negative, 0 when the argument equals 0, and 1 when the argument is positive.

Argument(X)	SGN(X)
X < 0	-1
X = 0	0
X > 0	1

Sample Program

10  INPUT "INPUT NUMBERS"; N
20  S = SGN N
30  IF S<>0 THEN PRINT "NOT ZERO": END
40  PRINT "ZERO": END

Uses SGN function to determine whether or not an input value equals 0.