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2.5.1: Entering Matricies

  • Page ID
    369941
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    Matlab works with essentially only one kind of object, a rectangular numerical matrix. In some situations, special meaning is attached to 1-by-1 matrices, which are scalars, and to matrices with only one row or column, which are vectors.

    Matrices can be introduced into Matlab in several different ways. The easiest method for small matrices is to use an explicit list. The explicit list is surrounded by square brackets, and uses the semicolon, ; , to indicate the ends of the rows. For example, to enter a 3-by-3 matrix, we type:

    A = [1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 8 0]

    This results in the output

    A =

    1 2 3
    4 5 6
    7 8 0

    The matrix A is saved for later use. The individual elements in the input should be separated by commas or blanks and can be any Matlab expression. For example, typing

    x = [-1.3, 4/5, 4*atan(1)]

    uses Matlab like a calculator and results in

    x =

    -1.3000 0.8000 3.1416

    Matrices entered, horizontally, as shown above, can sometimes be long enough to require more than one line. Matlab must be told when a wrap to another line is wanted. To do this, as you near the end of the line, add a space (spacebar) followed by three periods ( …). Then hit enter. You will be allowed to continue entering numbers into the same matrix on the new line. Alternatively, if entering matrices horizontally is troublesome, you can always enter numbers vertically.

    Typing:

    y = [1
    2
    3
    4
    5]
    

    results in:

    y=

    1

    2

    3

    4

    5


    2.5.1: Entering Matricies is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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