What is the relationship between engineering and science?

The correct choice highlights the integral connection between engineering and science. Engineering is fundamentally the application of scientific principles to develop practical, tangible solutions that address real-world problems. This relationship is crucial because scientific theories provide the foundational knowledge that engineers use to innovate and design technologies, structures, and systems.

Science often involves the exploration and understanding of natural phenomena through observation and hypothesis testing, which yields theories and principles. Engineers take these scientific concepts and leverage them in their designs, applying them to create products and processes that can enhance our day-to-day lives.

The other options present misconceptions about the relationship between the two fields. For instance, while science does create theories, engineering also plays a role in testing those theories through practical applications, so the first option simplifies the relationship. The idea that they are completely separate implies no collaboration or influence between the two disciplines, which is fundamentally inaccurate given their interdependent nature. Additionally, insisting that engineering focuses only on mathematics overlooks the holistic view of engineering, which also encompasses physics, materials science, design principles, and many other areas beyond mathematics alone.