# Defining a function to use in another function dependent on similar parameters [closed]

I want to define a variable dependent function which can be used to define another function which depends on the same variable and other variables.

For example, I have a system where I define abundance of c[i, j, t] per unit time using this:

eqs =
Table[D[c[i, j, t], t] == k[j - 1] s[i] - (k[j] s[i] + d[j]) c[i, j, t],
{i, 1, 5}, {j, 0, 10}];


I can calculate total size of the c[i, j, t] population by this:

NC = Sum[c[i, j, t], {i, 1, 5}, {j, 1, 10}]


Now, what I want to do is write a function such that I can make s[i] in the equation dependent on NC (total population size) at time 't'. Basically, I want a function which can evaluate NC at time t and use that value to calculate s[i]. This s[i] value then will be use to calculate NC at time t + 1.

I was thinking of using pure functions, but I have not been able to figure out my way through it.

• If you look at Nc, you will see that it contains only terms of the form c[i,j,t], it contains no terms of the form s[i]. I suspect that your table has not done what you intended. – bill s Oct 25 '15 at 17:31

Here is a possible approach illustrated in a simplified system. First define s[i] as desired

Nc := Sum[c[i, t], {i, 2}]
s[i_] := (i/Nc)^2


and then create, solve, and plot the system of ODEs.

eqs = Table[D[c[i, t], t] == s[i] c[i, t], {i, 2}];
var = Table[c[i, t], {i, 2}];
sol = NDSolveValue[{eqs, Thread[var == 1] /. t -> 0}, var, {t, 0, 2}];
Plot[sol, {t, 0, 2}, AxesLabel -> {t, c}]