I'd guess it's for people in the second camp (practical) who are just trying to satisfy their intellectual curiosity or want an intro to the math behind it all.

I'd guess it's for people in the second camp (practical) who are just trying to satisfy their intellectual curiosity or want an intro to the math behind it all. I agree with your assessment that's it doesn't have much practical use on its own, nor is it an efficient means to any particular end.