Index exceeds matrix dimensions error when attempt to create a recursion

Hi, I am trying to create a recursion using this code but get 'Index exceeds matrix dimensions' error. What does it means and how do I correct the code?

Thank you

 numlay=input('Number of layers= ');
 phi(1)=30;

 for m=[1:numlay]
    n(m)=input('Insert Re(n) =');
    phiR(m+1)=Snells(n(m),n(m+1),phi(m));
end

Answer 1

[Sudarshan Kolar]

Hello Faris,

I understand that you are getting index exceeds matrix dimension error. This is because the variable 'phi' is a scalar (only one value) and in the loop you are trying to access phi(m), where m = 1:numlay.

You will get this error whenever you access an out of bound element from an array.

Hope that helps.

Sudarshan