Symbolic computation is a branch of computer science and mathematics that focuses on manipulating mathematical expressions in a symbolic form rather than numerical values. This allows for exact solutions to problems, enabling operations like differentiation, integration, and simplification of algebraic expressions. Tools such as Mathematica and Maple are commonly used for these tasks. In contrast to numerical computation, which approximates solutions, symbolic computation provides precise results that can be further analyzed or transformed. It is widely used in fields such as computer algebra, automated theorem proving, and control theory, where exact calculations are essential for understanding complex systems.