Create the following function in a file, ellipseVals.m, in your working folder. The function returns a cell array with handles to all the local functions.

function fh = ellipseVals
fh = localfunctions;
end

function f = computeFocus(a,b)
f = sqrt(a^2-b^2);
end

function e = computeEccentricity(a,b)
f = computeFocus(a,b);
e = f/a;
end

function ae = computeArea(a,b)
ae = pi*a*b;
end

At the command prompt, invoke the function to get a cell array of handles to the local functions.

fh = ellipseVals

fh = 

    @computeFocus       
    @computeEccentricity
    @computeArea  

Call a local function using its handle to compute the area of an ellipse. The computeArea function handle is the third element in the cell array.

fh{3}(3,1)

ans =

    9.4248