Book excerpt: Offering a concise collection of MatLab programs and exercises to accompany a third semester course in multivariable calculus, A MatLab Companion for Multivariable Calculus introduces simple numerical procedures such as numerical differentiation, numerical integration and Newton's method in several variables, thereby allowing students to tackle realistic problems. The many examples show students how to use MatLab effectively and easily in many contexts. Numerous exercises in mathematics and applications areas are presented, graded from routine to more demanding projects requiring some programming. Matlab M-files are provided on the Harcourt/Academic Press web site at http://www.harcourt-ap.com/matlab.html. Computer-oriented material that complements the essential topics in multivariable calculus Main ideas presented with examples of computations and graphics displays using MATLAB Numerous examples of short code in the text, which can be modified for use with the exercises MATLAB files are used to implement graphics displays and contain a collection of mfiles which can serve as demos