# Using a function entered in a table for content

**URL:** <https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72>\
**Category:** Questions\
**Tags:** simplefunction\
**Created:** [May 14, 2018, 1:42am UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72 "2018-05-14T01:42:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jeff\_Holcomb](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/jeff_holcomb/32/433_2.png) [@Jeff\_Holcomb](https://cl.desmos.com/u/Jeff_Holcomb)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 1:42am UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/1 "2018-05-14T01:42:18Z")

</div>

I have a table on a previous slide where students have entered equations. I want to refer to these equations in the note on the next slide. I’m stuck. Here is what I have for the content at the moment:

eq1 = (simpleFunction(table4.cellContent(1,2))

content:  
“${eq1}”

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bryn](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/bryn/32/40_2.png) [@Bryn](https://cl.desmos.com/u/Bryn)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 4:17am UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/2 "2018-05-14T04:17:03Z")

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Unless you are evaluating the function/rule somewhere, you don’t need to use simpleFunction.

You can just use

`eq1_string = table4.cellContent(1,2)`

Then later refer to it in content like `content: "${eq1_string}"`

If you want to use it in a graph screen, you might then do something like

`function("f"): simpleFunction(eq1_string)`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jeff\_Holcomb](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/jeff_holcomb/32/433_2.png) [@Jeff\_Holcomb](https://cl.desmos.com/u/Jeff_Holcomb)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 3:09pm UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/3 "2018-05-14T15:09:07Z")

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Thanks.  
Is there a way to get ${eq1\_string} to render as latex? In particular, when students enter fractions for the rate or constant? I have tried various combinations of locations for the ` symbol, but no luck yet.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JayChow](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/jaychow/32/1674_2.png) [@JayChow](https://cl.desmos.com/u/JayChow)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/4 "2018-05-14T16:39:13Z")

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If you take out the middle step and just refer to tableContent(1,2) directly it should graph. Just make sure the column formats as math.

Actually, the other way should work too… You want latex in the note?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jeff\_Holcomb](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/jeff_holcomb/32/433_2.png) [@Jeff\_Holcomb](https://cl.desmos.com/u/Jeff_Holcomb)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/5 "2018-05-14T19:15:43Z")

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Yes, latex in the note so that fractions (for instance) format properly.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JayChow](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/jaychow/32/1674_2.png) [@JayChow](https://cl.desmos.com/u/JayChow)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/6 "2018-05-14T19:26:19Z")

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I think I can help with that. What do you have so far?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jeff\_Holcomb](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/jeff_holcomb/32/433_2.png) [@Jeff\_Holcomb](https://cl.desmos.com/u/Jeff_Holcomb)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/7 "2018-05-14T19:32:08Z")

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eq1\_string = table4.cellContent(1,2)  
eq2\_string = table4.cellContent(2,2)

Here is what I have. Note, I seem to need to write since actually using the dollar sign here generates latex

content:  
"On the last screen you entered the equations:  
{eq1\_string},  
{eq2\_string}

```
Using those equations to help, calculate the time and distance where the Red Dot will catch the Orange Dot.
(Note: You can use the table to help with the calculations.)"
```

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JayChow](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/jaychow/32/1674_2.png) [@JayChow](https://cl.desmos.com/u/JayChow)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/8 "2018-05-14T19:34:47Z")

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try

```auto
`${eq1_string}`,

`${eq2_string}`

```

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jeff\_Holcomb](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/jeff_holcomb/32/433_2.png) [@Jeff\_Holcomb](https://cl.desmos.com/u/Jeff_Holcomb)\
**Post date:** [May 14, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/9 "2018-05-14T23:11:42Z")

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Honestly, I could swear I tried that!🤪 Thanks again!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TeacherLearner](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/cl.desmos.com/teacherlearner/32/245_2.png) [@TeacherLearner](https://cl.desmos.com/u/TeacherLearner)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://cl.desmos.com/t/using-a-function-entered-in-a-table-for-content/72/10 "2018-05-29T19:42:51Z")

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Relatedly, you forgot the little ` marks on this “Try It” screen in the documentation:

 ![Desmos%20error](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/uploads/desmos/original/1X/b4220ab498de21d28f391b5929c34a895532feb9.png)