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Section B.5 Making a Table

The table feature gives us a convenient tool for evaluating expressions. There are two steps to making a table:

  1. Entering the equation

  2. Setting the Table features

Subsection Using the Auto Option

If we want a table with evenly spaced \(x\)-values, we use the Automatic setting.

  1. Press Y=, clear any previous entries, and enter the expression or expressions you want to evaluate.

  2. Press 2nd WINDOW (TBLSET) to access the Table Setup menu. Enter the first \(x\)-value after TblStart\(=\text{,}\) and the \(x\)-increment after \(\Delta Tbl=\text{.}\) Highlight Auto for both the Independent and Dependent variables.

  3. Finally, press 2nd GRAPH (TABLE) to see the table. You can use the arrows to scroll up and down the table. Figure B.38 shows the Table Setup and the resulting table for \(y = 5 - x^3\text{.}\)

    GC table setup and table
    Figure B.38.

Subsection Using the Ask Option

If we want to choose specific \(x\)-values for the table, we proceed as above but choose Ask instead of Auto for the Independent variable. Press 2nd GRAPH to see the table, then enter the \(x\)-values, pressing ENTER after each one.

Troubleshooting.

  1. If the table shows ERROR for a \(y\)-value, the expression you entered is undefined at the corresponding \(x\)-value.

  2. If the table shows only \(x\)-values, no equation is activated. Press Y= to enter or activate an equation.