matrix1:matrix2 ?

a=[1 2 3; 4 5 6]

b=[1 2; 3 4 ; 5 6]

when i execute a:b

the ans is always 1 irrespective of the matrix values

what exactly does this operation do ?

Answer 1

[KSSV]

It means :

a=[1 2 3; 4 5 6] ;
b=[1 2; 3 4 ; 5 6] ; 
a(1):b(1)

ans = 1

i.e. it is taking a(1,1) and b(1,1) and trying to make a linspace from a(1,1) to b(1,1). As the respective values are 1 each, so you are getting only 1. Change b(1,1) t0 5 and see.

a=[1 2 3; 4 5 6] ;
b=[5 2; 3 4 ; 5 6] ; 
a:b

ans = 1×5

1 2 3 4 5