Carlson's theorem is a law of mathematics that says that if you divide a square into four smaller squares, then the total area of the four smaller squares will always be the same as the area of the original square. Think of it like this: you take a square that covers 10 square inches, cut it into four pieces, and rearrange the four pieces into four new squares. No matter how you rearrange them, the total area of the new four squares will still be 10 square inches.