Tables

Updated February 10, 2023 18:32

With tables, you can organize ordered pairs, quickly plot points for a particular function, or even run regressions to find a line or curve of best fit. And the circle icon at the top allows you to tweak more than just the color: adjust the style (dots, connected, or both) or convert the entire table into movable points with just a click! Get started with the video on the right, then dive deeper with the resources and challenges below.

Getting Started with Tables

Image of add item menu and table in expression list. Screenshot.

Entering tables is easy depending on what type of data you're looking to represent. To add a blank table, open the Add Item menu and choose Table. You can also type 'table' in a blank expression line.

Image showing a table. Screenshot.

Enter values into the table and use the arrow keys to easily maneuver through the table. Click on the zoom fit icon to automatically adjust the axis settings to fit the data.

Scatter Plots

You can also copy and paste data from an existing spreadsheet. Desmos will automatically generate a table.

Note: The column header titles will not transfer and there is a maximum of 1000 rows that are able to be copy and pasted in a table.

Now that you have a scatterplot, how about finding a line of best fit? Learn more about regressions in Desmos.

Image of a scatter plot. Screenshot.

Externally Define Columns in a Table

You can now externally define any column in a table (including the first column).

Explore externally defined table columns in Desmos. Change the values in the list $L$ and watch how the table changes.

Image of a table where the first column is defined by a separate list 'L'. Screenshot.

Function Tables

Columns of tables at Desmos.com have different behaviors depending on their headings. If you put a function of x in the 2nd header, we'll fill it in as a function table, calculating the values for you. For example, if you have "$x_1$" and "$sin (x_1)$" as your headings, we'll fill in the 2nd column for any point you put in the first.

Image of a table with intervals of pi. Screenshot.

You can write rich math expressions in the cells, including things like $\frac{\pi}{2}$.

Image of a table with sin (x) and cos(x). Screenshot.

To compare two functions side by side, add another column and enter another function into the new heading.

$Image of a table with Expression line 1:f\left(x\right)=-2x+1 . Expression line 2: a table with f(x_1). Screenshot.$

You can define a function in an expression line and use it in your table to evaluate based on your $x$ values.

Create a Table from a Function

Expressions and points can be shown as tables using 'Create Table.' To start, click the Edit List button. If the expression line contains an available expression, a Create Table button will appear. Click on it to add a table of values that match the expression line.

Sequence of a linear function with Edit List called out. Then Create Table called out. Then a table made with five values from the function.