The first thing we will use MATLAB for is a calculator.
MATLAB uses the standard computer symbols for addition ('+'), subtraction ('-'), multiplication ('*') and division ('/').
Brackets are also used (if required) to indicate which operations are to be performed first.
For example, to evaluate $3 + 4\left(1 + \frac{6}{3}\right)$ type the following in the Command Window:
3+4*(1+6/3)
and you get the answer 15. Your Command Window should look just like:
>> 3+4*(1+6/3)
ans =
15
Suppose we wished to set the variable x equal to $3 + 4\left(1 + \frac{6}{3}\right)$.
Then we would type
x=3+4*(1+6/3)
and get the answer x = 15.
In long calculations it is often unnecessary for the value of x to be output to the screen.
If we wanted to calculate x but not output the answer to the screen we would end the line with a semicolon
x=3+4*(1+6/3);
The value of x may now, if desired, be printed out by typing
x
To evaluate a power we use the ‘^’ symbol. For example, to evaluate $3^4$ type
3^4
Finally, you can clear the variable x by typing
clear
Now typing
x
shows that the variable x has been deleted:
>> x
Unrecognized function or variable 'x'.