What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

Matrices in MATLAB are a tool for data manipulation, especially in engineering problems. Learn how to use matrices in MATLAB to improve your programming skills today.

Matrices in MATLAB are created by following the elements in each row with a comma or number separator and using a semicolon to end each row.

Picture 1 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

 

Matrices in MATLAB

The example below creates a 4 row 5 column matrix:

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

MATLAB will execute the above command and return the following result:

Picture 2 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

Referencing the elements of a matrix in MATLAB

To reference an element in the mth row and nth column of the matrix mx, you write:

mx(m, n);

For example, to reference the elements of row 2 and column 5 of matrix a, you would enter:

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

a(2,5)

MATLAB will execute the above command and return the following result:

answer = 6

To reference all elements in the mth column, you enter:

A(:,m)

To create the vector column v, from the element of the 4th row of the matrix:

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

v = a(:,4)

MATLAB will execute the above command and return the following result:

Picture 3 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

You can also select elements in the mth column through the nth column:

a(:,m:n)

To create a smaller matrix take elements from the 2nd and 3rd columns:

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

a(:, 2:3)

MATLAB will execute the above command and return the following result:

Picture 4 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

Similarly, you can create a matrix that takes a part of a matrix:

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

a(:, 2:3)

MATLAB will execute the above command and return the following result:

Picture 5 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

For example to create a submatrix take an interior part of the matrix:

Picture 6 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

To do this, you write:

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

sa = a(2:3,2:4)

MATLAB will execute the above command and return the following result:

Picture 7 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

Delete columns or rows in a matrix in MATLAB

You can delete an entire column of a matrix in MATLAB by assigning a set of square brackets [] to that column or row. Basically [] represents an empty array.

For example, to delete the fourth row of the matrix:

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

a( 4 , : ) = []

MATLAB will execute the above command and return the following result:

Picture 8 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

Next delete the 5th column of the matrix:

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

a(: , 5)=[]

MATLAB will execute the above command and return the following result:

Picture 9 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

For example

In this example create a 3 row 3 column matrix, then copy row 2 and row 3 in the matrix twice to create a 4 row 3 column matrix.

Create a script file, then copy the code below into it:

a = [ 1 2 3 ; 4 5 6; 7 8 9];

new_mat = a([2,3,2,3],:)

When you run the above file, it will return the following result:

Picture 10 of What is a matrix in MATLAB? Commands and usage

Matrix Operators in MATLAB

- Addition and subtraction in matrices.
- Division in matrices. - Scalar products in matrices. - Transformations in matrices. - Concatenations in matrices.
- Multiplications in matrices. - Inverses in matrices.




Taimienphi.vn has introduced you to the concept of matrix in MATLAB. In particular, if you are using Macbook or iMac and have difficulty installing MATLAB, please see the instructions for  installing MATLAB on Mac  OS X to use this software easily.

Update 23 December 2024
Category

System

Mac OS X

Hardware

Game

Tech info

Technology

Science

Life

Application

Electric

Program

Mobile