The Basics
Not this
But this
Matlab Specifics
A few handy commands
clear -- reset all variablesclear variableName -- reset variableclc -- clean screenclose -- deletes current figureclose all -- deletes all figuresclose figureName -- deletes specific figurewho -- your variableswhos -- details on your variableshelp functionName -- view syntax and usage information for function |
Good to know
realmax -- 179.7693e+306try: factorial(170) and factorial(171) realmin -- 22.2507e-3091/0 = Inf0/0 = NaN |
Calculator Functions
No need to wear a watch when Matlab is in your corner
Basic Arithmetic
+ Addition |
2 + 4 = 6 | x + y |
- Subtraction |
19 - 6 = 13 | x - y |
* Multiplication |
9 * 8 = 72 | x * y |
/ Division |
6/3 = 2 | 12/36 = 1/3 |
\ Right Division |
6\3 = 1/2 | 12\36 = 3 |
^ Exponentiation |
2^3 = 8 | x^5 |
Variables
Variables are containers with unique names that store data
You can name variables (almost) anything you want so be descriptive or use commonly used notation
descriptive |
common |
|---|---|
pressure = 23; |
p = 23; |
speedOfLight = 3e8; |
c = 3e8; |
initialVelocity = 3; |
v0 = 3; |
camelHairSuit = 4e6; |
chs = 4e6; |
Strings
Not this
And not this
But this
Common Functions
Trignometric Functions
radians |
degrees |
|
|---|---|---|
sincostancscseccot |
sindcosdtandcscdsecdcotd |
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Standard Mathematical Functions
sqrt() -- square root |
exp() -- exponential function |
log() -- natural log |
log10() -- base 10 logarithm |
rem() -- remainder |
round() -- rounds to nearest integer |
ceil() -- round to infinity |
floor() -- round to negative infinity |
fix() -- round towards zero |
abs() -- absolute value |
factorial -- factorial |
factor -- split a number into primes |
Expression Notation
...is the same as you would use on a graphing calculator
parentheses will be handled first, then multiplication/division, then addition/subtraction
Scientific Notation
Number |
Scientific Notation |
Matlab |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
4509 |
= |
4.509 x 10^3 |
= |
4.509e3 |
0.0000365 |
= |
3.65 x 10^-5 |
= |
3.65e-5 |
3,241,234,478 |
= |
3.241234478 x 10^9 |
= |
3.241234478e9 |
Reserved Words
Try as you might but these will never change.
Output
Control what you see
format short - 4 decimal places
format long - 15 decimal places
format shortE - scientific notation -- 4 decimal places
format longE - scientific notation -- 15 decimal places
format shortEng - 4 decimal places and exponential is a multiple of 3
format longEng - 15 significant digits and exponential is a multiple of 3
Display
disp(variable)
sprintf('The value of my variable is %d.\n',variable) -- writes to a string
fprintf('The value of my variable is %d.\n',variable) -- writes to a file
M-files
This is where you will write your code.
WARNING!!
Seeing the code doesn't mean you will automatically know what it is saying.
Example - Projectile Motion
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Life Lesson of the Day
Chronically underestimated:
People's ability to adapt
Next best to prosperity is adversity
We do better for 2 reasons: inspiration or desperation
Taste's ability to change
To think your tastes will never change is naive
If you have the same opinions in 10 years as you do now, you are not growing...and that should scare you
Be careful of permanent decisions
Perspective's ability to enlighten
On most issues, we have only a flashlight with a very limited view.
Your view is not the only view
Be careful in believing your world is THE world
Expand your perspective before expanding your mouth
Algorism and Bushism of the Day
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"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." |
"It was clear to me that men and women were equal — if not more so." |