How can I specify the number of significant digits in an output variable

I have a number, say 170803134921, in a character array. When I convert the array to a number it shows up with scientific notation.

temp = '170803134921'
str2num(temp)
ans = 1.708031349210000e+11

I would like to the number that is output in ans to display the same number of significant digits as the string did (12 digits) without the decimal point and scientific notation. How do I achieve this?

Answer 1

[Fangjun Jiang]

format LongG
str2num(temp)

Answer 2

[Ameer Hamza]

You can use vpa() for arbitrary precision in your calculations. In your case

vpa(temp)

gives,

ans = 170803134921.0

You can set the precision using digits(). You will need symbolic math toolbox installed, to use these functions.