Question

What is the difference between syms ‘x’ and sym ‘x’?

(a) there is no difference, they are the same functions

(b) they are equivalent

(c) syms ‘x’  makes the declaration long lasting while sym ‘x’ makes the declaration short lasting

(d) syms ‘x’ makes the symbol short lasting while sym ‘x’ makes the declaration long lasting

The question was asked in an interview.

My question comes from Algebra in chapter MATLAB Basics of MATLAB

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) syms ‘x’  makes the declaration long lasting while sym ‘x’ makes the declaration short lasting

The explanation: sym ‘x’ makes the declaration short lasting. If it is assigned to a variable, x say, the function is equivalent to syms ‘x’. This makes syms ‘x’ long lasting.