Final answer:
In MATLAB, the 'rlocus()' command is used to plot the root locus of a given system, and it's vital to understand the system order, which is the difference between the number of poles and zeros.
Step-by-step explanation:
To plot the root locus within MATLAB, you use the 'rlocus()' command. When creating a root locus plot, it's essential to remember the system order, which refers to the number of poles minus the number of zeros of your system. The command is used in conjunction with your system's transfer function or state-space model representation. The 'rlocus()' function graphs the path of the poles of the transfer function as the gain varies from 0 to infinity. The plot helps in understanding the stability and response characteristics of the system. You do not need to remember initial conditions for this plot, and the commands 'root_locus_plot()', 'locus()', or 'plot_locus' are incorrect in the context of MATLAB.