A physical model attempts to describe the system by setting out some simplifying assumptions, not necessarily quantitative ones, that the system follows. In the rabbit and fox system described above, the rules seem quite intuitive and would help build understanding of the population variations of the two species. However, if there was a high speed motorway through this closed system, the model, as stated, would be unlikely to predict population changes accurately, because of the failure of the physical model to fit the actual situation. By these simplifying assumptions, it is hoped that the system can then be described mathematically so that quantitative information can be obtained. This is the mathematical model.
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