how to perform symbolic factorial ?

I am trying to generate symbolic sums that represent, say, taylor series of some function. This series includes a factorial term but I have been unable to implement it. I may have something like: syms x n f=1/(1-x^4) f2=symsum((1/factorial(n))*f^(n),n,0,10) where f^(n) is the "nth" derivative of f. "factorial(n)" is a placeholder to illustrate what I am trying to accomplish. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I am aware of the "Taylor" function. The above example was used to point out my problem area.

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

The MuPad factorial function name is fact() . This does not, however, appear to be exposed at the Matlab level, so you might need to use, (e.g.,)

f2=symsum((1/sym('factorial(n)'))*f^(n),n,0,10)

[Walter Roberson]

That should probably have read

f2=symsum((1/sym('fact(n)'))*f^(n),n,0,10)

Getting myself confused because Maple calls it factorial()

[Walter Roberson]

Good question. It's a mystery to me as to why there were multiple copies of my comment!

[Andrew Newell]

What question? ;)

Answer 2

[Andrew Newell]

You can use

gamma(n+1)

to get n factorial. Gamma is a generalization of factorial to real numbers.

(edited to apply Walter's correction)

[Walter Roberson]

Small correction: gamma(n+1)

[Andrew Newell]

Thanks, @Walter.

[Frank DiJoseph]

I will try both responses. Thanks very much!

[Frank DiJoseph]

Thanks very much - this works also!