Switch-case statements in MATLAB - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of a simple switch-case

What is the output of the following MATLAB code?

MATLAB

x = 3;
switch x
    case 1
        disp('One')
    case 2
        disp('Two')
    case 3
        disp('Three')
    otherwise
        disp('Other')
end

A Three

B Two

C One

D Other

💡 Hint

Check which case matches the value of x.

The variable x is 3, so the switch matches case 3 and displays 'Three'.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Switch-case with string input

What will this MATLAB code display?

MATLAB

color = 'red';
switch color
    case 'blue'
        disp('Blue color')
    case 'red'
        disp('Red color')
    case 'green'
        disp('Green color')
    otherwise
        disp('Unknown color')
end

A Blue color

B Red color

C Unknown color

D Green color

💡 Hint

Look at the value of the variable color.

The variable color is 'red', so the switch matches case 'red' and displays 'Red color'.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Switch-case with multiple values in one case

What does this MATLAB code print?

MATLAB

val = 5;
switch val
    case {1, 3, 5}
        disp('Odd number')
    case {2, 4, 6}
        disp('Even number')
    otherwise
        disp('Other number')
end

A Other number

B Even number

C Odd number

D Error

💡 Hint

Check which group contains the value 5.

The value 5 is in the first case group {1, 3, 5}, so it prints 'Odd number'.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Switch-case with numeric and string mismatch

What error or output does this MATLAB code produce?

MATLAB

x = 2;
switch x
    case '2'
        disp('String two')
    case 2
        disp('Numeric two')
    otherwise
        disp('No match')
end

A Numeric two

B String two

C No match

D Error

💡 Hint

MATLAB distinguishes between strings and numbers in switch cases.

The variable x is numeric 2, so it matches the numeric case 2, not the string '2'.

❓ Predict Output

expert

Switch-case with cell array and fall-through behavior

What is the output of this MATLAB code?

MATLAB

val = 'b';
switch val
    case {'a', 'b'}
        disp('First group')
    case {'b', 'c'}
        disp('Second group')
    otherwise
        disp('No group')
end

A Second group

B Error

C No group

D First group

💡 Hint

MATLAB switch stops at the first matching case.

The value 'b' matches the first case group {'a', 'b'}, so it prints 'First group' and does not check further cases.