How do i calculate a sum using a function?
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Problem description:
Using previous examples make a function with one parameter n, number of integers to sum, and one output, the sum of first n integers: 1+2+3+...+n.
How do i use a function to calculate the sum?
2 Comments
KL
on 14 Oct 2017
Did you read the documentation? Show us what have you tried, we'd be happy help you
Accepted Answer
Jan
on 14 Oct 2017
Edited: Jan
on 14 Oct 2017
Please take the time to read the "Getting Started" chapters. Matlab's OnRamp helps also very efficient to learn the basics.
Did you heard something about how Gauss has solved this problem with pencil and paper when he was in school? You need some seconds only to get the result of the sum from from 1 to 1000. Remember: Write the list of numbers twice in two rows, one in backward direction:
1 2 3 ... n-1 n
n n-1 n-2 ... 2 1
Now sum them up vertically at first: You get n times the value of n+1. Summing them is n*(n+1). But then you have counted each value twice, so take the half of the result:
n * (n+1) / 2
This takes the same computing time for n=10 or n=10^15. How nice.
Now you have to convert it into a function, but you have learned how to do this already. Welcome to the world of Matlab!
1 Comment
More Answers (2)
jean claude
on 14 Oct 2017
Edited: jean claude
on 14 Oct 2017
as i understand you want to sum 1+2+...n so you can use
function S = Ma_somme(n)
S = 0 ;
for i = 1 : n
S = S + i ;
end
end
3 Comments
Jan
on 14 Oct 2017
To run a function, you cannot just hit the "Run" button, but you save it to a file and call it from Matlab's command window with providing an input:
Result = Ma_somme(19)
@jean claude: Please consider John's advice in the future. It is an advantage for the student and for the forum. Thanks.
Image Analyst
on 14 Oct 2017
Hints
function theSum = ComputeSum(n)
theSum = .......
and check this out, and learn from what you see:
vec = 1 : 10;
Also, are you allowed to use the built-in sum() function? And never use "sum" for the name of your variable or you'll destroy the built-in function.
6 Comments
Image Analyst
on 14 Oct 2017
Edited: Image Analyst
on 14 Oct 2017
Yes, that should do it.
Since you already got one working version, I'll give my version:
function theSum = ComputeSum(n)
theSum = sum(1:n);
That's it! It uses the built-in sum() function but you didn't specifically disallow it so I used it.
Hint: to fix up your indenting, in the MATLAB editor, type control-a (to select all the code) and then control-i (to fix/standardize the indenting of the lines).
Here's another snippet that might come in handy for you:
% Ask user for one integer number.
defaultValue = 45;
titleBar = 'Enter an integer value';
userPrompt = 'Enter the integer';
caUserInput = inputdlg(userPrompt, titleBar, 1, {num2str(defaultValue)});
if isempty(caUserInput),return,end; % Bail out if they clicked Cancel.
% Round to nearest integer in case they entered a floating point number.
integerValue = round(str2double(cell2mat(caUserInput)));
% Check for a valid integer.
if isnan(integerValue)
% They didn't enter a number.
% They clicked Cancel, or entered a character, symbols, or something else not allowed.
integerValue = defaultValue;
message = sprintf('I said it had to be an integer.\nTry replacing the user.\nI will use %d and continue.', integerValue);
uiwait(warndlg(message));
end
If we're done, then you can click "Accept this answer" on the one best answer (it only works on one).
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