Multiple outputs in MATLAB - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does 'multiple outputs' mean in MATLAB functions?

It means a function can return more than one result at the same time, separated by commas.

beginner

How do you define a MATLAB function that returns two outputs?

Use square brackets around output names in the function definition, like: <br> function [out1, out2] = myFunc(input)

beginner

How do you call a MATLAB function that returns multiple outputs?

Assign outputs to variables using square brackets, like: <br> [a, b] = myFunc(x)

intermediate

What happens if you call a MATLAB function with multiple outputs but only ask for one?

MATLAB returns only the first output and ignores the others.

beginner

Show a simple MATLAB function that returns the sum and product of two numbers.

function [sumVal, prodVal] = sumAndProduct(a, b) sumVal = a + b; prodVal = a * b; end

How do you define multiple outputs in a MATLAB function?

A Use square brackets around output variables in the function header

B Separate outputs with semicolons

C Use curly braces around outputs

D List outputs separated by spaces

In MATLAB, multiple outputs are defined by enclosing output variable names in square brackets in the function definition.

What will MATLAB return if you call a function with multiple outputs but only assign one variable?

A An error

B All outputs as a list

C The last output

D Only the first output

MATLAB returns only the first output if you assign only one variable when calling a function with multiple outputs.

How do you capture two outputs from a MATLAB function named 'calc'?

A x, y = calc()

B [x, y] = calc()

C x = calc()

D {x, y} = calc()

Use square brackets to capture multiple outputs: [x, y] = calc()

Which of these is a valid MATLAB function header for multiple outputs?

A function [out1, out2] = myFunc(input)

B function out1, out2 = myFunc(input)

C function {out1, out2} = myFunc(input)

D function (out1, out2) = myFunc(input)

Only option D uses correct MATLAB syntax with square brackets for multiple outputs.

If a function returns three outputs but you only want the second, how can you get it?

A second = func(2)

B [second] = func()

C [~, second, ~] = func()

D func(second)

Use the tilde (~) to ignore unwanted outputs and capture the second output.

Explain how to create and use a MATLAB function that returns multiple outputs.

Think about how you write the function header and how you get the results when calling it.

Describe what happens if you call a MATLAB function with multiple outputs but only assign one variable to receive the result.

Consider MATLAB's default behavior when fewer outputs are requested.