ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Almost open linear map

An almost open linear map is a special kind of map that can help us understand how things change when we use mathematical equations. Imagine you have a bunch of toys that you can stack on top of each other. If you only stack them perfectly on top of each other, they will look like a nice and orderly tower. But what if you are not able to stack them perfectly on top of each other? That is where almost open linear maps come in.

An almost open linear map is like a rulebook that tells you how to stack the toys on top of each other, even if you cannot stack them perfectly. For example, the map may say that if you cannot stack one toy perfectly on top of another, you should place it slightly to the left or right. This would create a slightly slanted tower, but the map would still tell you exactly how to create the tower.

In math, an almost open linear map works in a similar way. It tells us how a mathematical equation changes things, even if the changes are not perfect. This can be really useful when we are trying to understand complex math problems, because it helps us see how things change even if they are not exactly what we expect.

Overall, an almost open linear map is like a guidebook that helps us understand how things change when we use math equations, even if the changes are not perfect.