Non-negative matrix factorization

Non-negative matrix factorization is like taking a big cake and dividing it into smaller pieces. But instead of making a cake, we start with a big rectangular shape that has many little numbers in it. We can think of these numbers as tiny cake crumbs.

Sometimes we want to understand this big shape better by seeing what little ingredients it's made of. This is where non-negative matrix factorization comes in. We take the big rectangular shape and try to divide it into smaller rectangles. Each of these rectangles will have some numbers in them, just like cake crumbs.

The cool thing is that we're not allowed to have any negative numbers in these smaller rectangles. It's like we can only have positive ingredients, which is great if we're trying to understand what the big shape is made of.

This process can help us see patterns and relationships between different parts of the big shape. We can use these smaller rectangles to see what's going on in different areas, and maybe even predict what might happen if we change some of the numbers.

Non-negative matrix factorization is like taking a magical spatula and cutting a big cake into smaller pieces that can only be made of positive ingredients.