how to use input element of function in code?

Let's suppose I have this function

 function [mean,stdev] = stat(x,b)
 n = length(x)
 mean = sum(x)/n;
 stdev = sqrt(sum((x-mean).^2/b));

and I call this function by

 >> [mean stdev] = stat([12.7 45.4 98.9 26.6 53/1],400)

Is there any way I can use each element of input in my code lets suppose in my code I want to use sum which is equal to first element + second element (that is 12.7+45.4)

 sum = input_element_1 + input_element_2

How can I do that?

[Sean de Wolski]

DON'T NAME YOUR VARIABLE 'MEAN'!!!!!

(5 exclamation points oughtta do it)

mean is a very useful function and it's terrible practive to overwrite it.

Answer 1

[Fangjun Jiang]

Inside your function, just use y=x(1)+x(2). It is a good idea to check the size of x first.