Why would the greatest common divisor help with tile layout and edge cuts?

[BrandonRM]

Okay, so I was trying to tile my small bathroom floor this weekend and I completely messed up the pattern in the corner. I measured everything twice, but when I started placing the tiles from the center out, the last row needed these tiny slivers. My friend mentioned something about the importance of the greatest common divisor when planning layouts like this, but I just can't visualize how that math rule would have actually helped me in the moment with the tiles in my hands. Has anyone else run into this kind of practical problem?

[Patrick11]

That corner drama hits hard, it feels like a tiny puzzle that ate your plan. measuring twice is noble but the last bit still stares back at you.

[Savannah27]

The gcd idea also called the greatest common divisor is about how tile size and room edges line up. If the tile size and the room share a big gcd you can plan so edge cuts fall in a few regular spots and avoid many little slivers.

[MatthewFM]

I wonder if starting from a corner instead of the center would let you lock the last row into a clean edge, could that help?

[MatthewLD]

I am wary of relying on gcd in a tiny bathroom it can feel like math grandstanding when what you need is a practical pattern and a dry run.

[Tyler_T]

Maybe the bigger framing is that math is a tool not a magic wand the question is about choosing a layout that tolerates waste and edge pieces.

[Zachary_W]

If salvage is the goal try a bold stagger or diagonal layout that hides the edge pieces and keeps the eye away from the mismatches.

[Stella90]

A quick concept nudge you can try a mock up on cardboard to see how the edge pieces would land before cutting real tiles.