syms error, cannot use syms command

I am having an issue using the syms command:

syms x(t) y(t)

getting the following error:

Error using assignin

Invalid variable name "x(t)" in ASSIGNIN.

Error in syms (line 56)

assignin('caller',varargin{i},sym(varargin{i}));

Error in Untitled (line 1)

syms x(t) y(t)

I am tried the following solution but I can not solve my problem"

which -all syms

C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2018b\toolbox\maple\syms.m

My Matlab ver: R2018b

On my system Maple 2018 was installed at: C:\Program Files\Maple 2018

Answer 1

[Aniket]

Hi @Alita,

I understand that you are facing issues using "syms" function in MATLAB.

The output from "which -all syms" indicate that MATLAB is using "syms" function from Maple Toolbox instead of Symbolic Toolbox. The issue can be resolved by uninstalling Maple and setting the MATLAB Path to Symbolic Math Toolbox. Detailed instructions on how to do so can be found in this MATLAB Central answer:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/276932-how-to-change-symbolic-solver-from-maple-to-matlab.

I hope this helps resolve the issue!

[Walter Roberson]

The maple syms command cannot accept variable names.

If I recall correctly, you needed to use

x = sym('x(t)')

but I could be wrong after all this time.