MATLAB Variables: X 3 % Defining X and Initializing It With A Value | PDF | Variable (Computer Science) | Matlab
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MATLAB Variables: X 3 % Defining X and Initializing It With A Value

In MATLAB, all variables are arrays or matrices. Variables are assigned using syntax like x = 3, which creates a 1x1 matrix named x with a value of 3. Once created, variables can be used in expressions and referenced later. If a value is not assigned to a variable, it is stored in the default variable ans. The format command controls how values are displayed, with options like long, short, bank, and exponential notation.

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Tudose Madalin
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43 views5 pages

MATLAB Variables: X 3 % Defining X and Initializing It With A Value

In MATLAB, all variables are arrays or matrices. Variables are assigned using syntax like x = 3, which creates a 1x1 matrix named x with a value of 3. Once created, variables can be used in expressions and referenced later. If a value is not assigned to a variable, it is stored in the default variable ans. The format command controls how values are displayed, with options like long, short, bank, and exponential notation.

Uploaded by

Tudose Madalin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as doc, pdf, or txt
Download as doc, pdf, or txt
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MATLAB Variables

In MATLAB environment, every variable is an array or matrix.

You can assign variables in a simple way. For example,

x = 3 % defining x and initializing it with a value

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

x = 3

It creates a 1-by-1 matrix named x and stores the value 3 in its element. Let us check another
example,

x = sqrt(16) % defining x and initializing it with an expression

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

x = 4

Please note that −

 Once a variable is entered into the system, you can refer to it later.
 Variables must have values before they are used.
 When an expression returns a result that is not assigned to any variable, the system
assigns it to a variable named ans, which can be used later.

For example,

sqrt(78)

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans = 8.8318

You can use this variable ans −

sqrt(78);
9876/ans

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans = 1118.2
Let's look at another example −

x = 7 * 8;
y = x * 7.89

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

y = 441.84

Multiple Assignments
You can have multiple assignments on the same line. For example,

a = 2; b = 7; c = a * b

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

c = 14

I have forgotten the Variables!


The who command displays all the variable names you have used.

who

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

Your variables are:


a ans b c

The whos command displays little more about the variables −

 Variables currently in memory


 Type of each variables
 Memory allocated to each variable
 Whether they are complex variables or not

whos

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

Attr Name Size Bytes Class


==== ==== ==== ==== =====
a 1x1 8 double
ans 1x70 757 cell
b 1x1 8 double
c 1x1 8 double

Total is 73 elements using 781 bytes

The clear command deletes all (or the specified) variable(s) from the memory.

clear x % it will delete x, won't display anything


clear % it will delete all variables in the workspace
% peacefully and unobtrusively

Long Assignments
Long assignments can be extended to another line by using an ellipses (...). For example,

initial_velocity = 0;
acceleration = 9.8;
time = 20;
final_velocity = initial_velocity + acceleration * time

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

final_velocity = 196

The format Command


By default, MATLAB displays numbers with four decimal place values. This is known as short
format.

However, if you want more precision, you need to use the format command.

The format long command displays 16 digits after decimal.

For example −

format long
x = 7 + 10/3 + 5 ^ 1.2

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result−

x = 17.2319816406394

Another example,

format short
x = 7 + 10/3 + 5 ^ 1.2

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

x = 17.232

The format bank command rounds numbers to two decimal places. For example,

format bank
daily_wage = 177.45;
weekly_wage = daily_wage * 6

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

weekly_wage = 1064.70

MATLAB displays large numbers using exponential notation.

The format short e command allows displaying in exponential form with four decimal places
plus the exponent.

For example,

format short e
4.678 * 4.9

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans = 2.2922e+01

The format long e command allows displaying in exponential form with four decimal places
plus the exponent. For example,

format long e
x = pi

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

x = 3.141592653589793e+00

The format rat command gives the closest rational expression resulting from a calculation. For
example,

format rat
4.678 * 4.9

MATLAB will execute the above statement and return the following result −

ans = 34177/1491

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