Book excerpt: MATLAB is a high-level language and environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming. Using MATLAB, you can analyze data, develop algorithms, and create models and applications. The language, tools, and built-in math functions enable you to explore multiple approaches and reach a solution faster than with spreadsheets or traditional programming languages, such as C/C++ or Java. MATLAB Symbolic Algebra and Calculus Tools introduces you to the MATLAB language with practical hands-on instructions and results, allowing you to quickly achieve your goals. Starting with a look at symbolic variables and functions, you will learn how to solve equations in MATLAB, both symbolically and numerically, and how to simplify the results. Extensive coverage of polynomial solutions, inequalities and systems of equations are covered in detail. You will see how MATLAB incorporates vector, matrix and character variables, and functions thereof. MATLAB is a powerful symbolic manipulator which enables you to factorize, expand and simplify complex algebraic expressions over all common fields (including over finite fields and algebraic field extensions of the rational numbers). With MATLAB you can also work with ease in matrix algebra, making use of commands which allow you to find eigenvalues, eigenvectors, determinants, norms and various matrix decompositions, among many other features. Lastly, you will see how you can use MATLAB to explore mathematical analysis, finding limits of sequences and functions, sums of series, integrals, derivatives and solving differential equation.