Parse error at "t"

I am trying to type:

 [(d^2)y/d(t^2)] + 3.6(dy/dt) + 3.24y = -10(e^(-1.8t))

but it is saying parse error at 't' on line 5

function dydt = order2(~,y)
dydt = zeros(size(y)); 
a = 3.6; %coefficient for y; term 
b = 3.24; %coefficient for y term 
r = -10*e-1.8t; %forcing function 
dydt(1) = y(2); 
dydt(2) = r -a*y(2) - b*y(1); 

[KSSV]

Show us full code which you have tried.

Answer 1

[Dave B]

When you multiply in MATLAB you need a * symbol

r = -10*e-1.8t;

should be

r = -10*e-1.8*t;

[Steven Lord]

You will also need to define a variable named t in your function by replacing the ~ in the function signature on the first line with t.