they built a wooden model to demonstrate their answer — although Bozóki notes
that the model doesn’t verify the result because manufacturing errors
are much greater than any errors the computer could have made.
What's the point, when its not practically possible?
What's the point of what? Physical models have imperfections and distortions, so to absolutely know the answer you need the mathematics. Then having done the mathematics it's satisfying to build the physical model, to see it and to hold it.
Can you clarify your question? Try to avoid the word "it" because the referent might not be obvious.
The wooden model "works", eg they all touch. But it could be slightly less than perfect and you wouldn't be able to tell, mathematicians care about these things :)
