Extracting numeric values from symbolic variables

62 views (last 30 days)
I have two matrices say
x=[2 4 9 10];
syms c [1 4];
x==c
it returns
2=c1
4=c2
9=c3
10=c4
However when I write c1 in command window, it returns symbolic 'c1'.
I wanted to extract these numeric values or assign these values to c vector. How one would go around this.

Accepted Answer

Thiago Henrique Gomes Lobato
Edited: Thiago Henrique Gomes Lobato on 6 Sep 2020
x==c
The "==" operator is normally used as a logic comparison operation, not an assignment. In the case of using symbolic variables, "==" defines an equation, which could be solved, for example, with the matlab function solve. If you want to give values to your variables, use only one "=" sign, for example:
x=[2 4 9 10];
syms c [1 4];
>> c(1) = 2
c =
[ 2, c2, c3, c4]
>> c=x
c =
2 4 9 10
  2 Comments
madhan ravi
madhan ravi on 6 Sep 2020
“ is a logic operation”. Not in this case when it contains a symbolic variables it forms an equation.
Thiago Henrique Gomes Lobato
You're right, it becomes an equation when it contain symbolic variables. Since I believe he was knew to matlab I thought the more general definition of the operator would be easier to understand/apply to future cases. I will edit the answer accordingly

Sign in to comment.

More Answers (3)

madhan ravi
madhan ravi on 6 Sep 2020
== forms an equation , it DOESN’T assign any values.

Alphonce Owayo
Alphonce Owayo on 23 Feb 2021
For example;
syms x y
eqn1=x+y==20;
eqn2=2.3x-9y==13;
soln=vpasolve(eqn1,eqn2);
xsoln=soln.x;
ysoln=soln.y;
or
xsoln=double(soln.x);
ysoln=double(son.y);
disp(xsoln);
disp(ysoln);

Alphonce Owayo
Alphonce Owayo on 23 Feb 2021
shown above is how to extract numeric values from symbolic variables and display them in the command window.

Community Treasure Hunt

Find the treasures in MATLAB Central and discover how the community can help you!

Start Hunting!