Solving nonlinear problems in Matlab

In addition to functions for numerical linear algebra, Matlab provides functions for the solution of a number of common problems, such as numerical integration, initial value problems in ordinary differential equations, root-finding, and optimization. In addition, optional ``Toolboxes'' provide a variety of such functions aimed at a particular type of computation, for example, optimization, spline approximation, signal processing, and so forth. I will not discuss the optional toolboxes.

More details about the following commands may be obtained from the help command:

• quad, quad8 numerical integration (quadrature);
• ode23, ode45 adaptive methods for initial value problems in ordinary differential equations;
• fzero root-finding (single variable);
• fmin nonlinear minimization (single variable);
• fmins nonlinear minimization (several variables);
• spline creates a cubic spline interpolant of give data.