Input and output arguments in MATLAB - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Input and Output Arguments in MATLAB Functions

📖 Scenario: You are creating a simple calculator function in MATLAB that takes two numbers and returns their sum.

🎯 Goal: Build a MATLAB function that accepts two input arguments and returns their sum as an output argument.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a function named addNumbers that takes exactly two input arguments named a and b.

The function must return one output argument named result which is the sum of a and b.

Call the function with the numbers 5 and 7 and store the output in a variable named sumResult.

Display the value of sumResult using disp.

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Functions with input and output arguments are used in MATLAB to organize code and reuse calculations, such as in engineering simulations or data analysis.

💼 Career

Understanding how to write and use functions with inputs and outputs is essential for MATLAB programming jobs in science, engineering, and research.

1

Create the function header

Write the first line of the function addNumbers that takes two input arguments a and b and returns one output argument result.

MATLAB

% Define the function header for addNumbers with inputs a and b and output result
% Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the syntax: function output = functionName(input1, input2)

2

Add the calculation inside the function

Inside the function addNumbers, write a line that adds a and b and stores the result in result.

MATLAB

function result = addNumbers(a, b)
    % Add a and b and store in result
    % Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the plus operator + to add the two inputs.

3

Call the function with inputs

Call the function addNumbers with inputs 5 and 7 and store the output in a variable named sumResult.

MATLAB

function result = addNumbers(a, b)
    result = a + b;
end

% Call addNumbers with 5 and 7 and store in sumResult
% Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the syntax: outputVar = functionName(input1, input2);

4

Display the result

Use disp to display the value of sumResult.

MATLAB

function result = addNumbers(a, b)
    result = a + b;
end

sumResult = addNumbers(5, 7);

% Display sumResult
% Your code here

Need a hint?

Use disp(variableName) to print the value.