A model generally refers to a counterpart made from a certain object. A model usually resembles the original object, and it can be used to make predictions and seek to describe natural phenomena. For example, the models of genetic science can provide information on the progression of diseases from one generation to the next. Similarly, educational scientists study how humans learn and create models based on their findings. Even the nation's economy is being maintained with the help of models created by the Ministry of Finance. 

A mathematical model is a set of mathematical formulas. A mathematical model is a real-life phenomenon that is described in the language of mathematics. For example, the formula for calculating the volume of a polygon is a mathematical model. The language of mathematics is accurate and precise, which makes it easy for mathematical models to be computed by computers. Almost anything can be described mathematically. As the power of computers increases, the use of mathematical models in various fields also increases.

The design and development of complex machinery, such as aircraft, requires a lot of mathematical modeling. Engineers use various sensors to measure the aerodynamic forces acting on a model of an airplane in a wind tunnel. These measurements can then be used to form a set of mathematical functions that describes the behaviour of a real airplane. These calculations are then supplemented by practical tests and additional measurements.

Before a mathematical model can be formed, the target phenomenon must be known properly. An additional challenge for the mathematician is the fact that a model has to simplify the complex reality of the world around us. Because of this, predictions made using models may not always be entirely accurate.