MATLAB: Polynomials – expand (s-p1)*(s-​p2)*(s-p3)​…(s-pn-1​) and find the coefficients an-1, … , a2, a1, a0 of s^n + an-1*s^n-1 + … + a2*s^2 + a1*s + a0

Question

given: (s-p1)*(s-p2)*(s-p3)…(s-pn-1)

find an-1, … , a2, a1, a0 of s^n + an-1*s^n-1 + … + a2*s^2 + a1*s + a0

How can I solve this with matlab? If I enter for example syms s and (s – 1)*(s – 2)*(s – 3)*(s – 4) in the command window the answer is (s – 1)*(s – 2)*(s – 3)*(s – 4).

Thanks for helping.

Best regards Michael

Answer 1

Hi Michael, How about using expand()

syms s
p = (s - 1)*(s - 2)*(s - 3)*(s - 4);
expand(p)