Mathematica Fixing Error in Tag Times: Get Quick Solutions!

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The discussion centers around an error message encountered when defining a function K in Mathematica. The error arises because K has already been defined, and the user is advised that entering K = . will remove the previous definition, allowing for a new function definition. The error occurs after a substitution has taken place, where K[q_, N_] has been replaced with a mathematical expression that cannot be assigned to K due to its structure. Participants note the difficulty of interpreting the error message, particularly the term "Tag [...] is Protected," which refers to protected symbols in Mathematica. Clarification is provided that "Times" refers to multiplication in Mathematica, not a variable in the user's script.
EdisT
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Hey, I'm unsure why the following returns an error:

1e12560bae48b507c072815f32cb9bbf.png


Any ideas on how to fix this?
 
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It means that you already defined K. Entering K = . will remove the previous definition of K, so you can define it again as a function.
 
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DrClaude said:
It means that you already defined K. Entering K = . will remove the previous definition of K, so you can define it again as a function.
Ah thank you!
 
Not the most helpful error message...
 
Mark44 said:
Not the most helpful error message...
That's because the error occurs after the substitution has been done. If you look carefully,
EdisT said:
1e12560bae48b507c072815f32cb9bbf.png
you will see the presence of [q_, N_] after a bunch of math. That bunch of math is what K was equal to: K[q_, N_] was substituted by <<value of K>>[q_, N_], including some mathematical operations that cannot appear on the left side of := .

It doesn't take long to get acquainted with "Tag [...] is Protected" in Mathematica, and one never forgets what they are due to :smile:
 
I get "Tag" but "Tag Times in ... " is inscrutable. Is "Times" the name of a variable in the OP's script?
 
Mark44 said:
I get "Tag" but "Tag Times in ... " is inscrutable. Is "Times" the name of a variable in the OP's script?
No, it's multiplication (in the core Mathematica language).
 

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