How can I change MATLAB's output format or precision?
Matlab always works in double precision (unless you are using the Symbolic Math Toolbox), but output display can be changed with the "format" command. From the Matlab prompt,
>> help format FORMAT Set output format. All computations in MATLAB are done in double precision. FORMAT may be used to switch between different output display formats as follows: FORMAT Default. Same as SHORT. FORMAT SHORT Scaled fixed point format with 5 digits. FORMAT LONG Scaled fixed point format with 15 digits. FORMAT SHORT E Floating point format with 5 digits. FORMAT LONG E Floating point format with 15 digits. FORMAT SHORT G Best of fixed or floating point format with 5 digits. FORMAT LONG G Best of fixed or floating point format with 15 digits. FORMAT HEX Hexadecimal format. FORMAT + The symbols +, - and blank are printed for positive, negative and zero elements. Imaginary parts are ignored. FORMAT BANK Fixed format for dollars and cents. FORMAT RAT Approximation by ratio of small integers. Spacing: FORMAT COMPACT Suppress extra line-feeds. FORMAT LOOSE Puts the extra line-feeds back in.