Rubik 39;s Cube
How to Solve the Rubik's Cube: A Beginner's Guide
The Rubik's cube is a 3-D combination puzzle originally invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik. It consists of six faces, each covered by nine stickers of one of six colors: white, red, blue, orange, green, and yellow. The goal is to twist the faces of the cube until each face has only one color.
rubik 39;s cube
Solving the Rubik's cube may seem impossible at first, but with some practice and patience, anyone can learn how to do it. In this article, we will show you a simple and easy method to solve the cube, using some basic algorithms and notation. You don't need to be a math genius or a speedcuber to follow this guide, just a curious and adventurous mind.
Step 1: Make a white cross
The first step is to make a white cross on the top face of the cube, matching the colors of the side center pieces. For example, if the center piece on the front face is blue, then the white edge piece on the front face should also have a blue sticker. This way, you will have four white edges forming a cross on the top face.
To make the white cross, you need to find the white edge pieces on the bottom layer and move them to their correct positions on the top layer. You can use the following algorithm to move an edge piece from the bottom layer to the top layer: F D F' (front clockwise, down clockwise, front counterclockwise). You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until you get the white cross.
Step 2: Insert the white corners
The next step is to insert the white corner pieces to complete the first layer. A corner piece has three stickers of different colors. For example, a white-red-blue corner piece belongs to the white-red-blue corner of the cube. To insert a corner piece, you need to find it on the bottom layer and move it to its correct position on the top layer.
To insert a corner piece, you can use one of these three algorithms, depending on which direction the white sticker is facing:
If the white sticker is facing up: R' D' R D (right counterclockwise, down counterclockwise, right clockwise, down clockwise)
If the white sticker is facing right: F' D' F D (front counterclockwise, down counterclockwise, front clockwise, down clockwise)
If the white sticker is facing front: R D R' D' (right clockwise, down clockwise, right counterclockwise, down counterclockwise)
You may need to repeat these algorithms several times until you insert all four white corners.
Step 3: Solve the middle layer
The third step is to solve the middle layer of the cube, by inserting the four edge pieces that do not have yellow stickers. For example, a green-red edge piece belongs to the green-red edge of the cube. To insert an edge piece, you need to find it on the top layer and move it to its correct position on the middle layer.
To insert an edge piece, you can use one of these two algorithms, depending on which side of the cube it needs to go:
If it needs to go to the right: U R U' R' U' F' U F (up clockwise, right clockwise, up counterclockwise, right counterclockwise, up counterclockwise, front counterclockwise, up clockwise, front clockwise)
If it needs to go to the left: U' L' U L U F U' F' (up counterclockwise, left counterclockwise, up clockwise, left clockwise, up clockwise, front clockwise, up counterclockwise, front counterclockwise)
You may need to repeat these algorithms several times until you solve all four edges of the middle layer.
Step 4: Make a yellow cross
The fourth step is to make a yellow cross on the bottom face of the cube, matching the colors of the side center pieces. This is similar to the first step, but with a different algorithm. To make the yellow cross, you need to find the yellow edge pieces on the bottom layer and move them to their correct positions on the top layer. You can use the following algorithm to move an edge piece from the bottom layer to the top layer: F R U R' U' F' (front clockwise, right clockwise, up clockwise, right counterclockwise, up counterclockwise, front counterclockwise). You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until you get the yellow cross.
Step 5: Swap the yellow edges
The fifth step is to swap the yellow edge pieces to match the colors of the side center pieces. For example, if the center piece on the front face is blue, then the yellow edge piece on the front face should also have a blue sticker. This way, you will have four yellow edges forming a cross on the bottom face.
To swap the yellow edge pieces, you can use the following algorithm: R U R' U R U2 R' (right clockwise, up clockwise, right counterclockwise, up clockwise, right clockwise, up twice, right counterclockwise). You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until you swap all four yellow edges.
Step 6: Position the yellow corners
The sixth step is to position the yellow corner pieces to their correct places on the bottom layer. You don't need to worry about the orientation of the stickers, just the location of the pieces. For example, a yellow-red-blue corner piece belongs to the yellow-red-blue corner of the cube. To position a corner piece, you need to find it on the bottom layer and move it to its correct position on the bottom layer.
To position a corner piece, you can use the following algorithm: U R U' L' U R' U' L (up clockwise, right clockwise, up counterclockwise, left counterclockwise, up clockwise, right counterclockwise, up counterclockwise, left clockwise). You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until you position all four yellow corners.
Step 7: Orient the yellow corners
The seventh and final step is to orient the yellow corner pieces to complete the cube. You need to make sure that all three stickers of each corner piece match their corresponding faces. For example, a yellow-red-blue corner piece should have a yellow sticker facing up, a red sticker facing right, and a blue sticker facing front. To orient a corner piece, you need to find it on the bottom layer and rotate it until it matches its correct orientation.
To orient a corner piece, you can use the following algorithm: R' D' R D (right counterclockwise, down counterclockwise, right clockwise, down clockwise). You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until you orient all four yellow corners.
Congratulations! You have solved the Rubik's cube!
You have just learned how to solve the Rubik's cube using a simple and easy method. You can now impress your friends and family with your amazing skills and knowledge. But don't stop here! There are many other methods and techniques that you can learn to improve your speed and efficiency. You can also try different types and sizes of cubes, such as 2x2x2, 4x4x4, or even 17x17x17. The possibilities are endless!
If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about the Rubik's cube and other puzzles, please visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter. We have tons of articles, videos, tutorials, reviews, and tips for beginners and experts alike. We also have a friendly and supportive community of cubers who are always ready to help and share their experiences. Join us today and become part of the cubing world!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many possible combinations are there for the Rubik's cube?
There are 43 quintillion (43 followed by 18 zeros) possible combinations for the Rubik's cube. That's more than the number of grains of sand on Earth!
What is the world record for solving the Rubik's cube?
The current world record for solving the Rubik's cube is 3.47 seconds, set by Yusheng Du from China in 2018. The average human reaction time is about 0.25 seconds, so he solved the cube in less than 15 moves!
Who invented the Rubik's cube?
The Rubik's cube was invented by Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian sculpt or and professor of architecture, in 1974. He originally called it the Magic Cube, but it was later renamed the Rubik's Cube by the Ideal Toy Corporation in 1980. He received the Hungarian Order of Merit for his invention in 2007.
What are some benefits of solving the Rubik's cube?
Solving the Rubik's cube can have many benefits for your brain and mental health. Some of them are:
It improves your memory, concentration, and spatial awareness.
It enhances your problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity skills.
It reduces stress, anxiety, and boredom.
It boosts your confidence, self-esteem, and happiness.
It makes you smarter, faster, and cooler!
How can I learn more advanced methods and techniques for solving the Rubik's cube?
If you want to learn more advanced methods and techniques for solving the Rubik's cube, you can check out some of these online resources:
[Speedsolving.com]: A website dedicated to speedcubing, with forums, wiki, tutorials, competitions, and more.
[CubeSkills.com]: A website created by Feliks Zemdegs, one of the best speedcubers in the world, with videos, guides, tips, and tricks.
[Ruwix.com]: A website that covers everything about the Rubik's cube and other twisty puzzles, with articles, calculators, simulators, and solvers.
I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below or contact us through our website. Thank you for reading and happy cubing!