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Engineering and Physics and Mathematics

The objective of Mathematics is to produce theorems, stated generally as possible.

The objective of Applied Mathematics is to produce examples from theorems. Sometimes, the examples are general enough to be, themselves, theorems.

The objective of Physics is to do calculations that predict physical phenomena. Physics uses theorems to produce examples. It’s a lot like Applied Mathematics.

The objective of Engineering is to build stuff and processes. Engineering uses Physics to make sure stuff will work. Making sure that processes work is a lot like designing games. Games are a big part of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.

Stated differently, Mathematics uses axioms to produce equations. Physics uses equations and machines and games to produce knowledge about the physical world. Engineering uses equations and knowledge about the physical world to produce machines and games.

There is another middle ground: Mathematical Physics. The objective is to produce theorems in the corners of Mathematics most relevant to Physics, to produce more Mathematical knowledge. Calculation is seldom the objective of Mathematical Physics. It might be better called Physical Mathematics, but that sounds weird.

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