Are mathematics actually necessary in physics and engineering

Thomas Edison struggled with and disliked math, but he succeeded as a physicist/engineer.

Edison succeeded as a salesman and deal maker. He had a very large staff of people who did the testing and experimenting that lead to all of his patents. He was a best a mechanic and tinkerer.

All physics and engineering are founded on math and much of the principles are defined in mathematical terms.

Yes. Edison had the good sense to hire someone that did know math, Nikola Tesla. Unfortunately, as brilliant as Tesla was, Edison didn't get along with him, so Tesla took his ideas about alternating current and as motors over to Westinghouse where they made all the profit that would have been Edison's profit.

There was a time when mathematics was necessary to do physics and engineering in the U.S., but in the last decade or so Americans have replaced traditional forms of scholarship with guesswork, superstition, hero-worship, bravado and, of course, faked degrees, any one of which can be the key to success in the service-only economy. Bottom line: math's not cool, so forget about it!

Yes, it's 2012.

yes it is