Find Derivative of Numeric Function

Take for example

f = @(x) x^3;

Is there a builtin function to find the derivative?

Answer 1

[David Hill]

I am not sure what the best way is, but I would use symbolic and then convert.

syms x;
f=x^3;
df=str2func(['@(x)',char(diff(f))]);

[John D'Errico]

Lol. I'm not sure there is a best way. An alternative might be:

f = @(x) x^3;
syms x
fp = matlabFunction(diff(f(x)))

fp = function_handle with value:
    @(x)x.^2.*3.0