1. A mathematical model for a metallurgical plant, comprising: means for modeling a number of units of the metallurgical plant to which to be supplied and discharged media streams are assigned, means for predetermining structure parameters which define at least the number and type of the units as variables for the model, means for fixedly or flexibly linking the media streams to one another within the model on the basis of the structure parameters, in such a manner that each media stream which is to be fed to one of the units is fed to the respective unit either from outside the plant or from another of the units, and each media stream discharged by one of the units is discharged either to outside the plant or to another of the units, means for predetermining starting parameters which describe initial states of the units as variables for the model, means for predetermining input operating parameters, which describe a first part of the media stream profiles, as variables for the model, means for determining and outputting output operating parameters, which describe the remainder of the media stream profiles, by the model, and means for determining and outputting end parameters, which describe end states of the units, by the model.