MATLAB: Factor symbolic expression involving exp()

expfactorsymbolic

I have a symbolic function exp(a+b), and would like to factor out A=exp(a) to produce exp(a+b) = A*exp(b), but I cannot figure out how to do this in MATLAB. Below is my attempt:
syms a b A
X = exp(a+b)
Y = subs(X,exp(a),A) % = A*exp(b)
however, Y = exp(a+b). For some reason, MATLAB cannot determine exp(a+b) = exp(a)*exp(b) = A*exp(b).
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Best Answer

subs() replaces one sub-expression tree with a different sub-expression tree. exp(a) is not present as a sub-expression in exp(a+b) so you cannot use subs() to make that replacement in it.
What might work is
Y = subs(expand(X), exp(a), A);
Related Question