Lecture 4: Complex Numbers

Functions, and Data Input

Dr. Mohammed Hawa
Electrical Engineering Department
University of Jordan

EE201: Computer Applications. See Textbook Chapter 3.

 What is a Function?
• A MATLAB Function (e.g. y = func(x1, x2))
is like a script file, but with inputs and outputs
provided automatically in the commend window.
• In MATLAB, functions can take zero, one, two or
more inputs, and can provide zero, one, two or
more outputs.
• There are built-in functions (written by the
MATLAB team) and functions that you can define
(written by you and stored in .m file).
• Functions can be called from command line, from
wihtin a script, or from another function.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 2

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 3
 Functions are Helpful
• Enable “divide and conquer” strategy
– Programming task broken into smaller tasks
• Code reuse
– Same function useful for many problems
• Easier to debug
– Check right outputs returned for all possible
inputs
• Hide implementation
– Only interaction via inputs/outputs, how it is
done (implementation) hidden inside the
function.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 4

 Finding Useful Functions
• You can use the lookfor command to find
MATLAB functions that are relevant to your
application.
• Example: >> lookfor imaginary
• Gets a list of functions that deal with
imaginary numbers.
• i - Imaginary unit.
• j - Imaginary unit.
• complex - Construct complex result
from real and imaginary parts.
• imag - Complex imaginary part.
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 5
 Calling Functions
• Function names are case sensitive (meshgrid,
meshGrid and MESHGRID are interpreted as
different functions).
• Inputs (called function arguments or function
parameters) can be either numbers or
variables.
• Inputs are passed into the function inside of
parentheses () separated by commas.
• We usually assign the output to variable(s) so
we can use it later. Otherwise it is assigned to
the built-in variable ans.
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 6
 Rules
>> x = -3 + 4i;
• To evaluate sin 2 in >> mag_x = abs(x)
mag_x =
MATLAB, we type 5

sin(2), not sin[2] >> mag_y = abs(6 - 8i)

mag_y =
• For example 10

sin[x(2)] gives an >> angle_x = angle(x)

angle_x =
error even if x is 2.2143

defined as an array. >> angle(x)

ans =
• Inputs to functions in 2.2143

MATLAB can be >> x = [5,7,15]

x =
sometimes arrays. 5 7 15

>> y = sqrt(x)
y =
2.2361 2.6458 3.8730
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 7
 Function Composition
• Composition: Using a function as an
argument of another function
• Allowed in MATLAB.
• Just check the number and placement of
parentheses when typing such
expressions.
• sin(sqrt(x)+1)
• log(x.^2 + sin(5))
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 8
 Which expression is correct?
• You want to find sinଶ  . What do you write?
• (sin(x))^2
• sin^2(x)
• sin^2x
• sin(x^2)
• sin(x)^2
• Solution: Only first and last expressions are
correct.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 9

 Trigonometric Functions

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 10

 Hyperbolic functions

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 11

 User-Defined Functions
• Functions must be saved to a file with .m extension.
• Filename (without the .m) must match EXACTLY
the function name.
• First line in the file must begin with a function
definition line that illustrates inputs and outputs.
function [output variables] = name(input variables)

• This line distinguishes a function M-file from a

script M-file.
• Output variables are enclosed in square brackets.
• Input variables must be enclosed with parentheses.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 12

 Functions Names
• Function names may only use
alphanumeric characters and the
underscore.
• Functions names should NOT:
– include spaces
– start with a number
– use the same name as an existing command
• Consider adding a header comment, just
under the function definition (for help).

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 13

 Exercise: Your Own pol2cart
• Make sure you set you Current Folder to
Desktop (or where you saved the .m file).

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 14

 Test your newly defined function
>> [a, b] = polar_to_cartesian(3, pi)
a =
-3
b =
3.6739e-016

>> polar_to_cartesian(3, pi)

ans =
-3

>> [a, b] = polar_to_cartesian(3, pi/4)

a =
2.1213
b =
2.1213

>> [a, b] = polar_to_cartesian([3 3 3], [pi pi/4 pi/2])

a =
-3.0000 2.1213 0.0000
b =
0.0000 2.1213 3.0000
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 15
 MATLAB has pol2cart
>> help pol2cart

POL2CART Transform polar to Cartesian coordinates.

[X,Y] = POL2CART(TH,R) transforms corresponding elements of data
stored in polar coordinates (angle TH, radius R) to Cartesian
coordinates X,Y. The arrays TH and R must the same size (or
either can be scalar). TH must be in radians.

[X,Y,Z] = POL2CART(TH,R,Z) transforms corresponding elements of

data stored in cylindrical coordinates (angle TH, radius R, height
Z) to Cartesian coordinates X,Y,Z. The arrays TH, R, and Z must be
the same size (or any of them can be scalar). TH must be in radians.

Class support for inputs TH,R,Z:

float: double, single

See also cart2sph, cart2pol, sph2cart.

Reference page in Help browser

doc pol2cart

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 16

 Just like your code!
>> type pol2cart

function [x,y,z] = pol2cart(th,r,z)

%POL2CART Transform polar to Cartesian coordinates.
% [X,Y] = POL2CART(TH,R) transforms corresponding elements of data
% stored in polar coordinates (angle TH, radius R) to Cartesian
% coordinates X,Y. The arrays TH and R must the same size (or
% either can be scalar). TH must be in radians.
%
% [X,Y,Z] = POL2CART(TH,R,Z) transforms corresponding elements of
% data stored in cylindrical coordinates (angle TH, radius R, height
% Z) to Cartesian coordinates X,Y,Z. The arrays TH, R, and Z must be
% the same size (or any of them can be scalar). TH must be in radians.
%
% Class support for inputs TH,R,Z:
% float: double, single
%
% See also CART2SPH, CART2POL, SPH2CART.

% L. Shure, 4-20-92.
% Copyright 1984-2004 The MathWorks, Inc.
% $Revision: 5.9.4.2 $ $Date: 2004/07/05 17:02:08 $

x = r.*cos(th);
y = r.*sin(th);

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 17

 Exercise: Spiral
>> r = linspace(0, 10, 20);
>> theta = linspace(0, 2*pi, 20);
>> [x, y] = polar_to_cartesian(r, theta);
>> plot(x,y);

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 18

 Possible Cases
• One input:
function [o1, o2, o3] = myfunc(i1)
• Three inputs:
function [o1, o2, o3] = myfunc(i1, i2, i3)
• No inputs:
function [o1, o2, o3] = myfunc()
function [o1, o2, o3] = myfunc
• One output:
function [o1] = myfunc(i1, i2, i3)
function o1 = myfunc(i1, i2, i3)
• No output:
function [] = myfunc(i1, i2, i3)
function myfunc(i1, i2, i3)

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 19

 Local Variables
function z = fun(x,y)

u = 3*x;
z = u + 6*y.^2;

% return missing is fine at end of file

• The variables x, y, u, z are local to the function

fun, so their values will not be available in the
workspace outside the function.
• See example below.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 20

 Example
>> x = 3;
>> b = 7;
>> q = fun(x, b);

>> x
x =
3

>> y
??? Undefined function or variable 'y'.

>> u
??? Undefined function or variable 'u'.

>> z
??? Undefined function or variable 'z'.

>> q
q =
303
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 21
 Exercise

function show_date
clear
clc
date

% how many inputs and outputs do we have?

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 22

 Homework
function [dist, vel] = drop(vO, t)
% Compute the distance travelled and the
% velocity of a dropped object, from
% the initial velocity vO, and time t
% Author: Dr. Mohammed Hawa

g = 9.80665; % gravitational acceleration (m/s^2)

vel = g*t + vO;
dist = 0.5*g*t.^2 + vO*t;

>> t = 0:0.1:5;
>> [distance_dropped, velocity] = drop(10, t);
>> plot(t, velocity)

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 23

 Local vs. Global Variables
• The variables inside a function are local. Their scope is
only inside the function that declares them.
• In other words, functions create their own workspaces.
• Function inputs are also created in this workspace
when the function starts.
• Functions do not know about any variables in any
other workspace.
• Function outputs are copied from the function
workspace when the function ends.
• Function workspaces are destroyed after the function
ends.
– Any variables created inside the function “disappear”
when the function ends.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 24

 Local vs. Global Variables
• You can, however, define global variables
if you want using the global keyword.
• Syntax: global a x q
• Global variables are available to the basic
workspace and to other functions that
declare those variables global (allowing
assignment to those variables from
multiple functions).

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 25

 Subfunctions
• An M-file may contain more than one user-defined function.
• The first defined function in the file is called the primary
function, whose name is the same as the M-file name.
• All other functions in the file are called subfunctions. They can
serve as subroutines to the primary function.
• Subfunctions are normally “visible” only to the primary
function and other subfunctions in the same file; that is, they
normally cannot be called by programs or functions outside
the file.
• However, this limitation can be removed with the use of
function handles.
• We normally use the same name for the primary function and
its file, but if the function name differs from the file name, you
must use the file name to invoke the function.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 26

 Exercise
• The following example shows how the MATLAB
M-function mean can be superceded by our own
definition of the mean, one which gives the root-
mean square value.

function y = subfun_demo(a)
y = a - mean(a);

function w = mean(x)
w = sqrt(sum(x.^2))/length(x);

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 27

 Example
• A sample session follows.

>>y = subfn_demo([4 -4])

y =
1.1716 -6.8284

• If we had used the MATLAB M-function mean, we would

have obtained a different answer; that is,

>>a = [4 -4];
>>b = a - mean(a)
b =
4 -4

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 28

 Function Handles
• You can create a function handle to any function by
using the @ sign before the function name.
• You can then use the handle to reference the function.

function y = f1(x)
y = x + 2*exp(-x) - 3;

• You can pass the function as an argument to another

function using the handle. Example: fzero function
finds the zero of a function of a single variable x.
• >> x0 = 3; % initial guess
• >> fzero(@f1, x0)

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 29

 Handle vs. Return Value
t = -1:0.1:5;
plot(t, f1(t)); 2.5

1.5
• There is a zero
1
near
 0.5
0.5
and one
0
near
 3.
-0.5

-1

-1.5
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 30

 Exercise
>> fzero(@f1, -0.5)
ans =
fzero(@function,x0) -0.5831

>> fzero(@f1, 3)
ans =
• where @function 2.8887

is the function >> fzero(@sin, 0.1)

ans =
handle, and x0 is 6.6014e-017
a user-supplied >> fzero(@cos, 2)
initial guess for ans =
1.5708
the zero.
>> pi/2
ans =
1.5708
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 31
 Finding the Minimum
• The fminbnd function finds the minimum of a
function of a single variable x in the interval
x1 ≤ x ≤ x2.
• fminbnd(@function, x1, x2)

• fminbnd(@cos, 0, 4) returns 3.1416

• function y = f2(x)
• y = 1-x.*exp(-x);

• x = fminbnd(@f2, 0, 5) returns x = 1
• How would I find the min value of f2? (i.e. 0.6321)

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 32

 Exercise
• For the function:
•  0.025
ହ  0.0625
ସ  0.333
ଷ
ଶ
• Find the minimum in
the intervals:
•
∈ 1, 4
•
∈ 1, 4
•
∈ 2, 4
•
∈ 1, 1

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 33

 Old vs. New
• New syntax for function handles:
fzero(@f1, -0.5)
• Older syntax for function handles :
fzero('f1', -0.5)
• The new syntax is preferred, though both
will work just fine.
• Which one gives the correct answer:
fzero('sin', 3)or fzero(@sin, 3)
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 34
 The fminsearch function
• fminsearch finds minimum of a function of more than one variable.
మ మ
• To find where the minimum of
  ି ௫ ା௬ , define it in an M-file,
using the vector x whose elements are x(1) = x and x(2) = y.

function f = f4(x)
f = x(1).*exp(-x(1).^2-x(2).^2);

• Suppose we guess that the minimum is near   0,   0.

>>fminsearch(@f4,[0,0])
ans =
-0.7071 0.000

• Thus the minimum occurs at   0.7071,   0.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 35

 >> f4 = inline('x.^2-4')
f4 =
Inline Function Inline function:
f4(x) = x.^2-4

>> [x, value] = fzero(f4, 0)

x =
• No need to save the -2
value =
function in an M-file. 0

• Useful for small size >> f5str = 'x.^2-4'; % string array

>> f5 = inline(f5str)
functions defined on f5 =
Inline function:
the fly. f5(x) = x.^2-4

• You can use a string >> x = fzero(f5, 3)

x =
array to define the 2

function. >> x = fzero('x.^2-4', 3)

x =
• Anonymous functions 2

are similar (see next). >> f6 = inline('x.*y')

f6 =
Inline function:
f6(x,y) = x.*y

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 36

 Anonymous functions
• Here is a simple function called sq to calculate
the square of a number.
>> sq = @(x) x.^2;

>> sq = @(x) (x.^2)

sq =
@(x)(x.^2)

>> sq([5 7])

ans =
25 49

>> fminbnd(sq, -10, 10)

ans =
0

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 37

 Exercise
>> sqrtsum = @(x,y) sqrt(x.^2 + y.^2);

>> sqrtsum(3, 4)
ans =
5

>> A = 6; B = 4;

>> plane = @(x,y) A*x + B*y;

>> z = plane(2,8)
z =
44

>> f = @(x) x.^3; % try by hand!

>> g = @(x) 5*sin(x);
>> h = @(x) g(f(x));
>> h(2)
ans =
4.9468
Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 38
Variables in Anonymous Functions
• When the function is created MATLAB, it
captures the values of these variables and
retains those values for the lifetime of the
function handle. If the values of A or B are
changed after the handle is created, their
values associated with the handle do not
change.
• This feature has both advantages and
disadvantages, so you must keep it in mind.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 39

 For Speed Use Handles
• The function handle provides speed
improvements.
• Another advantage of using a function
handle is that it provides access to
subfunctions, which are normally not
visible outside of their defining M-file.

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 40

 Importing Data: ASCII
• Make the ‘data’ folder your
Current Folder.
• Delimited ASCII files are
common to save data from
experiments.
• dlmread/dlmwrite

>> a = dlmread('ascii.txt')
a =
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 41

 Importing Data: Excel
• Make the ‘data’ folder your
Current Folder.
• MATLAB can also read and
write to Excel Files.
• xlsread/xlswrite

>> a = xlsread('data.xls')
a =
10 30 50 60
15 20 25 30
30 31 32 33
80 82 84 86

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 42

 Importing Data: Images
• Make the ‘data’ folder your
Current Folder.
• Read and write images:
• imread/imwrite

>> c = imread('cat.jpg');
>> imshow(c);
>>
>> imshow(255-c); % inverse

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 43

 Importing Data: Sound Files
% use a script file (fourier.m)
[y,Fs,bits] = wavread('bequiet');
N = length(y);
t = (1/Fs)*(1:N);

plot(t, y);
xlabel('Time (s)');
ylabel('Amplitude');

f = Fs*(-N/2:N/2-1)/N;
y_fft = fftshift(abs(fft(y)));

figure;
plot(f, y_fft);
xlabel('Frequency (Hz)');
ylabel('Amplitude');

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 44

 bequiet.wav (BW of human voice!)

1 150

0.8

0.6

0.4
100
0.2
Amplitude

Amplitude
0

-0.2
50
-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1 0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 -6000 -4000 -2000 0 2000 4000 6000
Time (s) Frequency (Hz)

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 45

 triangle.wav

0.8 2000

0.6 1800

1600
0.4
1400
0.2
1200
Amplitude

Amplitude
0
1000
-0.2
800
-0.4
600

-0.6
400

-0.8 200

-1 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Time (s) Frequency (Hz) 4
x 10

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 46

 tuningA4.wav (frequency?)

0.3 4500

4000
0.2

3500
0.1
3000

0
Amplitude

Amplitude
2500

-0.1 2000

1500
-0.2
1000

-0.3
500

-0.4 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
Time (s) Frequency (Hz) 4
x 10

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 47

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 48
 guitar.wav

0.8 1800

0.6 1600

0.4 1400

0.2 1200
Amplitude

Amplitude
0 1000

-0.2 800

-0.4 600

-0.6 400

-0.8 200

-1 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Time (s) Frequency (Hz) 4
x 10

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 49

 Homework
• Solve as many problems from Chapter 3
as you can
• Suggested problems:
• 3.1, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 3.14, 3.18, 3.24

Copyright © Dr. Mohammed Hawa Electrical Engineering Department, University of Jordan 50