Using ode45 to solve odes from a matrix

This is the code I currently have. It works however I have had to manually input the four odes. (Line 8)

My question is, what code can I use to automate this part by using a matrix and a vector of y(i) variables?

The matrix would be [-f1 f1 0 0; 0 -f2 f2 0; 0 0 -f3 f3; v 0 0 -v]

Thank you!

%=====fx represents transition rate for degredation to next state=====
f1=0.5;
f2=0.5;
f3=0.2;
v=0;

%=====Sets the ordinary differential equations as a vector=====
f = @(t,y)[-f1*y(1)+v*y(4); -f2*y(2)+f1*y(1); -f3*y(3)+f2*y(2); f3*y(3)-v*y(4)];

%=====Sets time period=====
tspan = [0 30];

%=====Sets the initial state conditions as a vector=====
y0 =zeros(4,1);
y0(1) = 1;

%=====Calls the integrator=====
[t, y] = ode45(f,tspan,y0);

%=====Plots the results=====
plot(t,y(:,1),t,y(:,2),t,y(:,3),t,y(:,4))
legend('State 1','State 2','State 3','State 4','Location','best')
title('Probability of being in each state at time t.')

Answer 1

[James Tursa]

F = [-f1 f1 0 0; 0 -f2 f2 0; 0 0 -f3 f3; v 0 0 -v].';
f = @(t,y) F * y;

[Ashton Linney]

Thank you!