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Rubik Solve: How to Improve Your Speed and Skills on the Rubik's Cube



How to Solve the Rubik's Cube: A Complete Guide




The Rubik's Cube is a 3-D combination puzzle that consists of six faces, each divided into nine smaller squares of one of six colors: white, yellow, red, green, blue, and orange. The goal of the puzzle is to restore each face to a single color by twisting the faces of the cube. Sounds simple, right? Well, not quite. The Rubik's Cube has over 43 quintillion possible configurations, but only one solution. Solving the cube requires logic, strategy, memory, and patience.




rubik solve



The Rubik's Cube is one of the most popular and iconic toys in history. It was invented in 1974 by Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian architect and professor, who wanted to create a model of three-dimensional geometry for his students. He originally called it the Magic Cube, but later changed it to his own name. The cube was first sold in Hungary in 1977, and then internationally in 1980. It quickly became a worldwide sensation, winning many awards and selling over 350 million units as of 2018. The cube also inspired many artworks, films, books, games, and competitions.


In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the Rubik's Cube: how to read its notation, how to apply its algorithms, how to choose its methods, how to enjoy its benefits, and how to admire its records. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a casual solver or a speedcuber, a hobbyist or a competitor, you will find something useful and interesting in this guide. So grab your cube and let's get started!


History




The story of the Rubik's Cube begins with its inventor, Ernő Rubik. He was born in Budapest in 1944, and studied architecture and sculpture at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. He later became a professor of interior design at the same university. In 1974, he was working on a project to create a three-dimensional model that could demonstrate spatial relationships and movements to his students. He experimented with various materials and mechanisms until he came up with a prototype of a cube made of 26 smaller cubes held together by an elastic core.


Rubik realized that his invention was not only a teaching tool but also a puzzle. He scrambled his cube and tried to restore it to its original state. He found it very difficult and took him about a month to solve it. He was fascinated by the complexity and challenge of his creation. He decided to patent his invention and named it Bűvös Kocka (Magic Cube) in Hungarian. He also contacted several toy companies in Hungary to produce and sell his cube.


In 1977, the first batches of Magic Cubes were released in Budapest toy shops. They were well received by the public and soon became popular among students, intellectuals, and puzzle enthusiasts. However, Rubik wanted to share his invention with the rest of the world. He contacted several foreign toy companies but faced many difficulties due to political and economic barriers in communist Hungary.


In 1979, he met Tom Kremer, a Hungarian-born businessman who lived in London and worked for Seven Towns Ltd., a toy company that specialized in licensing new inventions. Kremer was impressed by Rubik's cube and agreed to help him market it internationally. He negotiated with Ideal Toy Corp., an American company that had global distribution rights for many toys. Ideal agreed to produce and sell Rubik's cube under a new name. Notation




Before we learn how to solve the Rubik's Cube, we need to know how to describe the movements of the cube using letters and symbols. This is called the Rubik's Cube notation, and it is essential for understanding and applying the algorithms that can solve the cube in different situations.


The Rubik's Cube notation is based on the six faces of the cube: Front, Right, Up, Left, Back, and Down. Each face is represented by a capital letter: F, R, U, L, B, and D. A single letter by itself means to turn that face clockwise by 90 degrees, as if you were facing that side. For example, F means to turn the front face clockwise by 90 degrees.


A letter followed by an apostrophe (') means to turn that face counterclockwise by 90 degrees. For example, F' means to turn the front face counterclockwise by 90 degrees.


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quick and simple solution for the square one - the shape-shifting puzzle


solving the mirror cube - the shape mod that creates a different shape


solving the void cube - the cube without a center


A letter followed by the number 2 means to turn that face twice by 180 degrees. It doesn't matter if you turn it clockwise or counterclockwise, as long as you do it twice. For example, F2 means to turn the front face twice by 180 degrees.


Here is an example of a Rubik's Cube algorithm using the notation: R U R' U R U2 R' U. This algorithm cycles three corner pieces on the upper layer when the first two layers are solved. To perform this algorithm, you need to do the following moves: turn the right face clockwise, turn the upper face clockwise, turn the right face counterclockwise, turn the upper face clockwise, turn the right face clockwise, turn the upper face twice, turn the right face counterclockwise, and turn the upper face clockwise.


There are also some advanced moves that involve turning more than one layer at a time, rotating the whole cube, or moving the middle layer. You can learn more about these moves on [this page](^4^).


Algorithms




An algorithm is a sequence of moves that can solve a specific problem on the Rubik's Cube. For example, an algorithm can solve a scrambled cube, orient or permute some pieces on a certain layer, or swap two pieces on opposite sides. There are many algorithms for different purposes and methods of solving the cube.


Some algorithms are intuitive and easy to remember, while others are complex and require memorization and practice. Some algorithms are short and fast, while others are long and slow. Some algorithms are optimal and efficient, while others are suboptimal and wasteful. The choice of algorithms depends on your personal preference and style of solving.


One way to learn algorithms is to use online resources such as websites, videos, tutorials, or apps that provide lists of algorithms for various methods and situations. You can also generate your own algorithms using software tools or trial-and-error. Another way to learn algorithms is to study how other cubers solve the cube and copy their moves or modify them to suit your needs.


Some examples of famous algorithms are:



  • Sune: R U R' U R U2 R'. This algorithm orients all four corners on the last layer when only one corner is oriented correctly.



  • Sledgehammer: R' F R F'. This algorithm swaps two adjacent edge pieces on the front layer without affecting anything else.



  • T-Perm: R U R' U' R' F R2 U' R' U' R U R' F'. This algorithm swaps two adjacent corner pieces and two adjacent edge pieces on the last layer.



You can find more examples of algorithms on [this page](^7^). Methods




Now that you know the notation and the algorithms, you are ready to learn some methods to solve the Rubik's Cube. A method is a systematic approach that divides the cube into layers or blocks and applies algorithms to solve each part. There are many methods for different levels of difficulty and speed. Some of the most popular methods are:



  • Beginner's Method: This is the easiest method to learn and requires the minimum number of simple move sequences to remember. It involves seven steps: white cross, white corners, second layer, yellow cross, yellow edges, yellow corners, and orient yellow corners. You can learn this method on [this page](^2^).



  • Advanced CFOP / Fridrich Method: This is the most widely used method by speedcubers and experts. It involves four steps: Cross, F2L (First Two Layers), OLL (Orient Last Layer), and PLL (Permute Last Layer). Each step has many algorithms to learn, but they are very efficient and fast. You can learn this method on [this page](^1^).



  • Roux Method: This is a major competitor with CFOP and is preferred by some speedcubers. It involves solving two opposite layers and then orienting and permuting the remaining pieces. It requires less algorithms than CFOP but more intuitive block building skills. You can learn this method on [this page](^3^).



  • Ortega's Method: This is an optimized method for 2x2 cubes. It involves solving one face, orienting the opposite face, and then permuting both layers. It requires only a few algorithms and is very fast. You can learn this method on [this page](^5^).



There are also many other methods that are less common but still interesting and challenging, such as Petrus, ZZ, Corners First, Waterman, Heise, etc. You can explore these methods on [this page](^6^).


Benefits




Solving the Rubik's Cube is not only fun and satisfying, but also beneficial for your brain and mental health. Some of the benefits of solving the Rubik's Cube are:



  • Developing mental skills: Solving the cube requires logic, strategy, memory, and patience. It helps you improve your spatial awareness, pattern recognition, critical thinking, and concentration.



  • Sharpening memory: Solving the cube involves memorizing algorithms, sequences, patterns, and positions. It helps you enhance your short-term and long-term memory.



  • Improving eye-hand coordination skills: Solving the cube requires fast and precise movements of your fingers and hands. It helps you develop your fine motor skills, dexterity, and reflexes.



  • Improving mental reflexes: Solving the cube requires quick reactions and adaptations to changing situations. It helps you increase your mental speed and agility.



  • Motivating towards careers in the engineering or technical fields: Solving the cube exposes you to mathematical concepts, geometrical principles, mechanical mechanisms, and algorithmic thinking. It helps you spark your interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects and careers.



  • Helping to stay focused and determined: Solving the cube challenges you to overcome difficulties and frustrations. It helps you build your confidence, perseverance, and resilience.



  • Boosting cognitive power: Solving the cube stimulates both sides of your brain: the left side that controls logic, analysis, and language; and the right side that controls creativity, intuition, and emotion. It helps you balance your brain functions and enhance your cognitive power.



You can read more about the benefits of solving the Rubik's Cube on [this page](^4^).


Records




The Rubik's Cube is not only a puzzle but also a sport. There are many competitions and tournaments organized by the World Cube Association (WCA), where cubers from all over the world compete to solve various types of cubes in different categories as fast as possible. Some of the categories are: 3x3x3 Cube (the standard one), 2x2x2 Cube (the mini one), 4x4x4 Cube (the bigger one), 5x5x5 Cube (the even bigger one), 6x6x6 Cube (the huge one), 7x7x7 Cube (the gigantic one), 3x3x3 Blindfolded (solving without looking), 3x3x3 Fewest Moves (solving with minimum moves), 3x3x3 One-Handed (solving with one hand), Clock (a different type of puzzle), Megaminx (a dodecahedron-shaped puzzle), Pyraminx (a pyramid-shaped puzzle), Skewb (a cube-shaped puzzle with twisted faces), Square-1 (a cube-shaped puzzle that can change shape), and more. You can find the complete list of categories on [this page].


The Rubik's Cube records are constantly being broken by cubers who practice and train hard to achieve incredible speeds and skills. Some of the current world records as of June 2021 are:



Category


Record


Holder


Nationality


3x3x3 Cube


3.47 seconds


Yusheng Du


China


2x2x2 Cube


0.49 seconds


Martin Vædele Egdal


Denmark


4x4x4 Cube


17.42 seconds


Sebastian Weyer


Germany


5x5x5 Cube


32.77 seconds


Mats Valk


Netherlands


6x6x6 Cube


1 minute 9.51 seconds


Max Park


USA


7x7x7 Cube


1 minute 40.89 seconds


Max Park


USA


3x3x3 Blindfolded


15.50 seconds


Jakub Kipa


Poland


3x3x3 Fewest Moves


16 moves (average)


Vladimir Ushakov, Sebastiano Tronto, and Mark Boyanowski (tie)


Russia, Italy, and USA (respectively)
















3x3x3 One-Handed


6.82 seconds


Max Park


USA


Clock


3.73 seconds


Pan Jihao


China


Megaminx


25.13 seconds


Juan Pablo Huanqui


Peru


Pyraminx


1.36 seconds


Dominik Górny


Poland


Skewb


1.10 seconds


Jakub Kipa


Poland


Square-1


4.59 seconds


Daniel Karnaukh


USA



You can find more records and rankings on [this page].


Conclusion




The Rubik's Cube is a fascinating and challenging puzzle that can provide you with hours of entertainment and mental stimulation. It can also help you develop various skills and abilities that can benefit you in many aspects of life. Whether you want to solve it for fun, for speed, or for competition, you will need to learn the notation, the algorithms, and the methods that can help you achieve your goal.


In this article, we have covered some of the basics of the Rubik's Cube: its history, its notation, its algorithms, its methods, its benefits, and its records. We hope that this article has inspired you to learn more about the Rubik's Cube and to try to solve it yourself. Remember, practice makes perfect, and there is always room for improvement. The Rubik's Cube is a puzzle that never gets old or boring, and there is always something new to discover and enjoy.


So what are you waiting for? Grab your cube and start twisting!


FAQs




Here are some common questions and answers about the Rubik's Cube:



  • How many moves does it take to solve the Rubik's Cube?



The answer to this question depends on the method and the algorithm used to solve the cube. However, there is a theoretical limit to the minimum number of moves required to solve any scrambled cube. This limit is called God's Number, and it is 20. This means that any scrambled cube can be solved in 20 moves or less, no matter how complicated it looks. However, finding these optimal solutions is very difficult and requires a lot of computation.


  • How do I lubricate my Rubik's Cube?



Lubricating your cube can make it smoother, faster, and more comfortable to turn. However, you should not use any oil or grease that can damage the plastic or the stickers of your cube. You should use special lubricants designed for cubes, such as silicone spray or cube lube. You can find these products online or in specialized shops. To lubricate your cube, you should first disassemble it carefully and clean it with a cloth or a brush. Then, you should apply a small amount of lubricant on the core and the pieces, and reassemble your cube. You should also turn your cube several times to distribute the lubricant evenly.


  • How do I clean my Rubik's Cube?



Cleaning your cube can make it look nicer and last longer. However, you should not use any water or soap that can damage the plastic or the stickers of your cube. You should use a dry cloth or a brush to wipe off any dust or dirt from your cube. You can also use a damp cloth or a cotton swab to remove any stains or marks from your stickers. You should avoid rubbing too hard or scratching your stickers.


  • How do I replace my Rubik's Cube stickers?



Replacing your stickers can make your cube look new and fresh. However, you should not use any glue or tape that can damage the plastic or leave residues on your cube. You should use special stickers designed for cubes, such as vinyl stickers or tile stickers. You can find these products online or in specialized shops. To replace your stickers, you should first peel off the old stickers carefully and clean the surface with a cloth or a cotton swab. Then, you should align the new stickers with the center piece and press them firmly on the cube.


  • How do I customize my Rubik's Cube?



Custom Customizing your cube can make your cube unique and personal. However, you should not modify your cube in a way that can give you an unfair advantage or violate the rules of the WCA. You should use legal and ethical ways to customize your cube, such as changing the colors, the shapes, the sizes, or the stickers of your cube. You can find some examples of customized cubes on [this page]. 44f88ac181


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