derivative function in string in matlab

Question

I want to derivative a function that has given to me in a sting format in MATLAB. for example the input f = 'x^2' is given to me. how can I derivative f to get the answer '2*x' ? note : I am using MATLAB 2015a.

Answer 1

If you have the Symbolic Math Toolbox, it's very simple:

f=sym('x^2');
df=diff(f)

Output:

>>  diff(sym('x^2'))

    ans =

    2*x

This will work as long as your symbolic function has a single non-numeric variable in it.

If you don't have symbolic math, then it's a quite different situation...