How can i correct the function below?

Write a function that is called like this: amag = accelerate(F1,F2,m). F1 and F2 are three-element column vectors that represent two forces applied to a single object. The argument m equals the mass of the object in units of kilograms. The three elements of each force equal the x, y, and z components of the force in Newtons. The output variable amag is a scalar that is equal to the magnitude of the object’s acceleration. The function calculates the object’s acceleration vector a by using Newton’s law: F = ma, where F is the sum of F1 and F2. Then it returns the magnitude of a. Hint: we are talking about physical vectors here, so the Pythagorean theorem will come in handy.

this was my function:

function a = accelerate(F1,F2,m)
Fa = sqrt(((F1(1,1))^2)+((F1(2,1))^2)+((F1(3,1))^2));
Fb = sqrt(((F2(1,1))^2)+((F2(2,1))^2)+((F2(3,1))^2));
Ft = Fa + Fb;
a = Ft/m;
end

Upon using the function checker it gives the feedback:

      Feedback: Your function performed correctly for argument(s) [1;0;0], [0;0;0], 1
      Feedback: Your function performed correctly for argument(s) [1;0;0], [1;0;0], 1
      Feedback: Your function performed correctly for argument(s) [0;1;0], [0;1;0], 1
      Feedback: Your function performed correctly for argument(s) [0;0;1], [0;0;1], 1
      Feedback: Your function made an error for argument(s) [1;0;0], [0;1;0], 1

    Your solution is _not_ correct.

Help.

[Stephen23]

Tip: rather then writing this (with confusing parentheses):

sqrt(((F1(1,1))^2)+((F1(2,1))^2)+((F1(3,1))^2))

it is much simpler to just do this:

sqrt(sum(F1.^2))

Note: your code does not sum the vector forces properly. As this is homework I will not solve it for you, but you can find plenty of tutorials online that show how to sum vector forces.

[Aakash Deep]

It is working fine. I checked it, it is not giving any error.

Answer 1

[Torsten]

Shouldn't it be

function a = accelerate(F1,F2,m)
F = F1 + F2;
a = norm(F)/m;
end

?

Best wishes

Torsten.