Chapter 1 - Matlab
Chapter 1 - Matlab
function‟s name
argument
A scalar is a single number.
A scalar variable is a variable that contains a single
number.
Scalar arithmetic operations
Symbol Operation Matlab form
^ Exponentiation: ab a^b
* Multiplication: ab a*b
/ Right division: a/b a/b
\ Left division: a\b a\b
+ Addition: a+b a+b
- Subtraction: a-b a-b
Order of precedence
Precedence Operation
First Parentheses, evaluated starting with the innermost pair.
Second Exponentiation, evaluated from left to right.
Third Multiplication and division with equal precedence,
Evaluated from left to right.
Fourth Addition and subtraction with equal precedence,
evaluated from left to right.
5
a.
3
6 7 3
2 4
4 7 145
48.255 93
b.
53 14 2
27 2 319 4 / 5
6014
3
c. a. 225.6717
b. 7.7189
4 5 c. 202.4120
Example:
The volume of a sphere is given by V=4r3/3,
where r is the radius. Use Matlab to compute
the radius of a sphere having a volume 30
percent greater than that of a sphere of radius
0.3m.
Commands for managing the work session
Command Description
clc Clears the Command Window.
clear Removes all variables from memory.
clear var1, var 2 Removes the variables var1 and var2 from memory
exist („name‟) Determines if a file or variable exists having the name
“name”.
quit Stop Matlab.
who Lists the variables currently in memory.
whos Lists the current variables and sizes, and indicates if
they have imaginary parts.
Commands for managing the work session
Command Description
: Colon; generates an array having regularly spaced
elements.
, Comma; separates elements of an array.
; Semicolon; suppress screen printing; also denotes a
new row in an array.
… Ellipsis, continues a line.
Use the arrow, tab, and control keys to recall, edit,
and reuse functions and variables you typed earlier.
↑: smart recall,
Tab: reduce the amount of typing,
Enter: display the value of the variable, or continue editing
to create a new executable line.
Esc: clear the entire line
Ctrl+k: simultaneously to delete (kill) to the end of
the line
Special variables and constants
Command Description
ans Temporary variable containing the most recent answer.
eps Specifies the accuracy of floating point precision.
i,j The imaginary unit
inf Infinity
NaN Indicates an undefined numerical result
pi The number
Function: with arguments enclosed in the
parentheses.
Command/statement: argument is not needed/ or not
enclosed in the parentheses.
Ex: plot (x);
clear;
clear x;
addition
multiplication
subtraction
division
complex conjugate
In the Command window, some menus are
often displayed:
File
Edit
Debug
Parallel (new version)
Desktop
Window
Help
The toolbar is below the Menu bar, provides button
as shortcut to some of the feature on the menus.
New
M-file
Open File
Cut
Copy
Paste
Undo
Redo
Introduction to Matlab
Example:
A polynomial in Matlab can be described by an
array whose elements are the polynomial’s
coefficients, starting with the coefficient of
highest power of x.
Ex: 4x3 – 8x2 + 7x -5 can be represented by
Problem 1
Suppose x takes on the values x=1, 1.2, 1.4, ..., 5. Use
MATLAB to compute the array y that results from the
function y=7Sin(4x). Use Matlab to determine how many
elements are in the array y, and the value of the third
element in the array.
Problem 2
Use Matlab to determine how many elements are in the
array [sin(-pi/2):0.05:Cos(0)]. Use Matlab to:
1. Determine the 10th element.
2. Create a new array taking the values from the 4th to 8th
element.
3. Calculate sum of the first three elements of the new
array.
Problem 2
Use Matlab to determine how many elements
are in the array [sin(-pi/2):0.05:Cos(0)]. Use
Matlab to:
1. Determine the 10th element.
2. Create a new array taking the values from the 4th to
8th element.
3. Calculate sum of the first three elements of the new
array.