Variable calculations with matlab

Hi,

is it possible to get variable expressions in matlab?

For example:

From

>> y = (a+b)^2

Can I get

>> y = a^2+2ab+b^2

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

If you have the Symbolic toolbox,

syms a b
y = expand( (a+b)^2 )

[dav]

Thanks a lot Walter.

[dav]

I do have it but when I typed y = expand ((1-x)^-1)

the output is -1/(1-x)

How can I expand it using the binomial expansion?

thanks

[Walter Roberson]

If the output has the leading - sign then that is the wrong expansion for (1-x)^(-1) which is 1/(1-x) with no leading minus sign.

1/(1-x) appears to already be in binomial expansion form to me. There is no Pascal's triangle entry for -1, and if you consider it as 1 divided by the binomial expansion of (1-x)^1 then it is already in the proper form.