ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Privacy-preserving computational geometry

Okay, imagine you have a bunch of blocks of different shapes and sizes, and you want to figure out how to arrange them in a specific pattern. But you don't want anyone else to know what that pattern is, because it's a secret.

Now, you can't just close your eyes and start shuffling the blocks around, because then you won't be able to actually form the pattern you want. What you need is a way to rearrange the blocks while still keeping the pattern hidden from anyone else who might be watching.

That's what privacy-preserving computational geometry is all about. It's a way of solving problems like arranging blocks or figuring out how to pack objects into a certain space without revealing any information about the specific arrangement you're trying to create.

Basically, what you do is use fancy math to manipulate the shapes and sizes of the blocks in a way that preserves their privacy. This means that no one else can see what the blocks look like or how they're being arranged, even as you're figuring out where they should go.

So, with privacy-preserving computational geometry, you can solve all kinds of tricky puzzles and design problems without worrying about someone else stealing your ideas or seeing what you're working on. It's like having a secret superpower that lets you solve all kinds of cool problems without anyone knowing what you're up to.