MATLAB: Matlab simplify boolean expression

Question

I want to simplify a boolean algebra expression. I have taken this example from matlab online help but it does not work:

simplify((a and b) or (a and (not b)), logic)

Any suggestion?

I am using matlab R2012a (7.14.0.739)

Answer 1

You have copied a MuPAD command. Did you use it inside a MuPAD Notebook? If not, type this at the MATLAB command prompt:

 mupad

This will open a MuPAD Notebook. There, paste the input near the bracket (red text should appear) and press enter:

 [ simplify((a and b) or (a and (not b)), logic)
 a

If you don't want to open a MuPAD notebook, try this in MATLAB:

 evalin(symengine, 'simplify((a and b) or (a and (not b)), logic)')

Though if you prefer to stay in MATLAB, you should take what Geoff suggests:

 syms a b;
 simplify((a & b) | (a & ~b))

(For some reason it did not work for me with the comma between a and b).