Matlab Quick Start

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For an overview of Matlab, run the command:

>> intro

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For demos of specific features, run the command:

>> demo

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To assign a numerical quantity to a variable

>> x=1

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To suppress output, end with a semicolon

>> x=1;

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To list all variables:

>> who

or for more detailed information

>> whos

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To insert a comment:

>> % this is a comment

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To display the value of a variable or expression, e.g. "x",

>> disp(x)

Note, the variable name will not be printed.

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To create a Matlab script (an m-file), use a text editor to create a list of commands into a file, and give it a .m suffix

>> % This is an example >> x = 1; >> y = 2; >> disp(x+y)

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To navigate in the Matlab command window:

>> cd % change directory to home directory >> pwd % print current directory >> cd mydir % change directory to mydir subdirectory >> dir *.m % list m-files in current directory

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Create a row vector

>> x = [ 1,2,3 ] >> x = [ 1 2 3 ]

Note: both of these forms are equivalent!

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To create a column vector

>> x = [1;2;3] >> x = [1 2 3]'

Note: both of these forms are equivalent!

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To create a two-dimensional matrix

>> x = [1,2;3,4]

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To access a vector component

>> x(2)

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To access the 3rd through 5th elements

>> x = [1 2 3 4 5] >> x(3:5)

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To find the inverse of a matrix

>> A = [1,2;3,4] >> inv(A)

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To solve a matrix equation, A*x=b

>> A = [1,2;3,4] >> b = [5;6] >> x = inv(A)*b >> x = A\b

Note: both of these forms are equivalent!
Note: the use of the backslash notation (unique to Matlab)

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To create a uniform random number between 0.0 and 1.0

>> x = rand

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