Error: Function definitions are not permitted in this context. ???

I have read up on this problem but I cannot seem to figure out why it doesn't work. My code is:

function[y]=fifthroot(P)

x = P; xNew = 0; E = 1;

while(E > 0.00001)

    xNew = x - ((x^5)-P)/(x^4);
    E = abs((xNew-x)/(x));
    x = xNew;

end

y = xNew;

end

Answer 1

[Matt Fig]

Where did you put that code? You cannot define a function at the command line or in a script M-file.

[Walter Roberson]

That code would have to be stored to a file named fifthroot.m

Answer 2

[Image Analyst]

My guess is that you have some code before the function statement, like a clc or some text code to call fifthroot() or something like that. That would make it a script followed by a function, which is not allowed. Make sure the function is the first line in the m-file, and your test code is in a separate m-file or issued from the command line and then it should work.