Defining function handles in MATLAB

How might I define a function handle?

For example, I want to define a function f(x)=2*x^3+7*x^2+x

I want MATLAB to evaluate f(x) at random values x. I have heard of feval and fhandles, but I don't know how to do it.

Thanks.

[Leia Sofia Mendez]

This was the code I was trying to write:

a= 0.0009
a= convtime([1],'samples','seconds')

This code gave an error saying that my function (convtime) was undefined. How you define a function in MATLAB?

[Walter Roberson]

Leia Sofia Mendez:

convtime appears to be from the File Exchange https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/28204-time---rate-unit-conversion-function .

You should go to that link, and click the download button, and download the .zip file. You should unzip to a directory that is not under your MATLAB installation directory. You would then use pathtool in MATLAB to add that directory to your MATLAB path.

Answer 1

[Chandra Kurniawan]

Hi, Richard.

To evaluate f(x) at different values of x, you can create an .m file and write this code:

function y = f(x)
y = 2 * (x^3) + 7 * (x^2) + x;

If you save the file under the name 'f.m', you can run the function by typing this code in the Command Window or a separate .m file.

x =  randi(7);
y = f(x)

The randi function above generates a 1-by-5 row vector of random integers between 1 and 10. The values returned by f are stored in a 1-by-5 row vector y.

For more information about creating functions, see:

http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_prog/create-functions-in-files.html.

You can create a handle to the function f with an @ sign. For example, create a handle named myHandle as follows:

myHandle = @f;

Now you can run f indirectly by using its handle.

y = myHandle(x)

For more information about function handles, see:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_prog/creating-a-function-handle.html.

[Chandra Kurniawan]

to evaluate this function just type :

y = feval(@f,x)

[Richard]

Thanks, Chandra! :)

[Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh]

The problem or lets say the dificulty of this code is that this couple of lines should be saved as a function and I personally don't wanna do that for a simple function like this! or even complicated ones!

Not my favorite way of defining a function

[Piyush Gade]

Whatever this is, this doesn't work.

[Mark Jackson]

I recommend clicking 'Getting Started.'

Answer 2

[Walter Roberson]

Function handle version:

f = @(x) 2*x^3+7*x^2+x;

Then f is already the function handle, and you can call f(3.7) (for example)

There is no need to use feval() for this, but you could.

[Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh]

I rather this anonymous way of defining a function! It's way easier. I also know another way of doing this, surprisingly nobudy mentioned that so far! lol I'm gonna put it in the answers.

Answer 3

[Junaid]

Dear Richard,

To define a function in matlab you can do following syntax of given function:

function n = F(x)

n= 2*x^3+7*x^2+x;

that is it. You can put end at the end of function. But it is also acceptable not to put to various matlab versions. If you put end for one function then you have to put for all function in single m file.

then you can generate random numbers, either integer or double, and can get the values of this function.

[Richard]

Thanks, Junaid! :)

Answer 4

[cyril]

> f = @(x) 2*x^3+7*x^2+x;
> f(0)
0

surprising no one mentioned anonymous functions...

[Salaheddin Hosseinzadeh]

@ Cyril

Walter did, just make sure you checked the other answers and comments!