ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mathematical table

So imagine you have a big chart or a piece of paper with lots of boxes on it. Each box has a number, and these numbers are arranged in a special way so that it helps you do math more easily.

For example, if you're trying to add up numbers, you can use the table to find the answer quickly, instead of counting on your fingers or writing everything out.

The table can also help you with multiplication and division. For instance, if you want to know what 4 times 7 is, you can look at the table and find where the row for 4 meets the column for 7. The number inside that box will be your answer: 28.

Mathematical tables can look different depending on what you need them for, but they all have lots of numbers in neat rows and columns, and they can be really useful for solving tricky math problems.