Page 16 - MATLAB an introduction with applications

CHAPTER 1 1 1

Matlab Basics

1.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter is a brief introduction to MATLAB (an abbreviation of MATrix LABoratory) basics, registered
trademark of computer software, version 4.0 or later developed by the Math Works Inc. The software is widely
used in many of science and engineering fields. MATLAB is an interactive program for numerical computation
and data visualization. MATLAB is supported on Unix, Macintosh and Windows environments. For more
information on MATLAB, contact The MathWorks.Com. A Windows version of MATLAB is assumed here.
The syntax is very similar for the DOS version.
MATLAB integrates mathematical computing, visualization, and a powerful language to provide a flexible
environment for technical computing. The open architecture makes it easy to use MATLAB and its companion
products to explore data, create algorithms and create custom tools, that provide early insights and competitive
advantages.
Known for its highly optimized matrix and vector calculations, MATLAB offers an intuitive language for
expressing problems and their solutions both mathematically and visually. Typical uses include:
• Numeric computation and algorithm development.
• Symbolic computation (with the built-in Symbolic Math functions).
• Modeling, simulation and prototyping.
• Data analysis and signal processing.
• Engineering graphics and scientific visualization.
In this chapter, we will introduce the MATLAB environment. We will learn how to create, edit, save, run and
debug M-files (ASCII files with series of MATLAB statements). We will see how to create arrays (matrices
and vectors), and explore the built-in MATLAB linear algebra functions for matrix and vector multiplication,
dot and cross products, transpose, determinants and inverses, and for the solution of linear equations.
MATLAB is based on the language C, but is generally much easier to use. We will also see how to program
logic constructs and loops in MATLAB, how to use subprograms and functions, how to use comments (%)
for explaining the programs and tabs for easy readability, and how to print and plot graphics both two and
three dimensional. MATLAB’s functions for symbolic mathematics are presented. Use of these functions to
perform symbolic operations, to develop closed form expressions for solutions to algebraic equations, ordinary

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