How do I perform differentiation on data samples?

How do I perform differentiation on data samples using MATLAB?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

You can use the DIFF function to perform the differentiation.

PLEASE NOTE: DIFF is an overloaded function that behaves differently with different types of input.

You can use the DIFF function with MATLAB to obtain the difference. For example: If your data sample X is:

 X= [X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6.... Xn]

then

 diff(X)

will result in

 [(X2-X1) (X3-X2) (X4-X3) .... (Xn-Xn-1)].

More information on DIFF can be found by typing the following at the MATLAB command prompt:

help diff

However, if you need to find the differentiation of the type d/dx, then you will need the DIFF function with the Symbolic Math Toolbox. The DIFF function in the Symbolic Math Toolbox differentiates a symbolic expression S with respect to its free variable. More information on this DIFF can be found by typing the following at the MATLAB command prompt:

help sym/diff

.