Function definition syntax in MATLAB - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Function definition syntax

📖 Scenario: You are learning how to write functions in MATLAB to reuse code easily. Functions help you organize your work like recipes in a cookbook.

🎯 Goal: Create a simple MATLAB function that adds two numbers and returns the result.

📋 What You'll Learn

Define a function with the correct syntax

Use input arguments to receive values

Return the sum of two numbers

Call the function and display the result

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Functions let you reuse code easily, like making a recipe once and using it many times.

💼 Career

Knowing how to write functions is essential for MATLAB programming jobs in engineering, science, and data analysis.

1

Create the function header

Write the first line of a MATLAB function called addTwoNumbers that takes two inputs named a and b and returns one output named sumResult.

MATLAB

% Your code here

Need a hint?

The function header starts with the keyword function, followed by the output, the function name, and input arguments in parentheses.

2

Add the function body to calculate the sum

Inside the function addTwoNumbers, write a line that sets sumResult equal to the sum of a and b.

MATLAB

function sumResult = addTwoNumbers(a, b)
    % Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the plus sign + to add the two inputs and assign the result to sumResult.

3

End the function

Add the end keyword to properly close the function addTwoNumbers.

MATLAB

function sumResult = addTwoNumbers(a, b)
    sumResult = a + b;
    % Your code here

Need a hint?

Every function in MATLAB ends with the end keyword.

4

Call the function and display the result

Write code to call the function addTwoNumbers with inputs 5 and 7, store the result in a variable called result, and then display result using disp.

MATLAB

function sumResult = addTwoNumbers(a, b)
    sumResult = a + b;
end

% Your code here

Need a hint?

Call the function with 5 and 7, save the output in result, then use disp(result) to show it.