Solve Rubik 39;s Cube
How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube: A Beginner’s Guide
If you have ever seen a Rubik’s cube, you might have wondered how someone can solve such a complex puzzle. A Rubik’s cube is a three-dimensional toy that has six faces, each divided into nine smaller squares of different colors. The goal is to twist and turn the cube until each face has only one color.
Solving a Rubik’s cube is not only fun, but also beneficial for your brain. It can improve your memory, concentration, logic, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. It can also boost your confidence, creativity, and patience. Plus, it can impress your friends and family.
But how do you solve a Rubik’s cube? There are many methods and algorithms that can help you, but some of them are too complicated or too long for beginners. In this article, we will show you an easy and simple way to solve a Rubik’s cube using only seven steps. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience, just a Rubik’s cube and some motivation.
Before we start, let’s go over some basic terms and notations that we will use throughout this guide. A term is a word that describes a part or an aspect of the cube. A notation is a letter or a symbol that represents a move or a rotation of the cube. Here are some examples:
- A face is one of the six large squares of the cube. Each face has a color and a name: front (F), right (R), up (U), left (L), down (D), back (B).
- An edge is a piece that has two stickers of different colors. There are twelve edges on the cube.
- A corner is a piece that has three stickers of different colors. There are eight corners on the cube.
- A center is a piece that has one sticker of one color. There are six centers on the cube, and they never move relative to each other.
- A layer is a group of nine pieces (one center, four edges, and four corners) that form one face of the cube. There are three layers on the cube: top, middle, and bottom.
- A move is a quarter turn of a face or a layer of the cube, either clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW). A move is denoted by the name of the face or the layer, followed by a prime symbol (‘) if it is CCW. For example, F means turn the front face CW, and L’ means turn the left face CCW.
- A rotation is a whole turn of the entire cube, either clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW). A rotation is denoted by the name of the axis around which the cube is turned, followed by a prime symbol (‘) if it is CCW. For example, x means rotate the cube CW around the right-left axis, and y’ means rotate the cube CCW around the up-down axis.
- An algorithm is a sequence of moves and rotations that accomplishes a specific goal, such as placing or orienting a piece. An algorithm is written as a series of notations separated by spaces. For example, R U R’ U’ means turn the right face CW, then the up face CW, then the right face CCW, then the up face CCW.
Now that you know some basic terms and notations, let’s get started with solving the cube. You can follow along with your own cube, or use an online simulator to practice. Don’t worry if you get stuck or confused at any point, just read carefully and try again. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Step 1: Make a White Cross
The first step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to make a white cross on the top face of the cube. This means that you have to find and move the four white edge pieces to their correct positions on the top layer, so that they form a cross shape with a white center piece in the middle.
To do this, you have to look for the white edge pieces on the bottom layer or the middle layer of the cube. If you see one on the bottom layer, you can move it to the top layer by turning the bottom face until it is under its matching side center piece, and then turning that side face twice. For example, if you see a white and green edge piece on the bottom layer, you can move it to the top layer by turning D until it is under G, and then turning G twice.
If you see a white edge piece on the middle layer, you have to move it to the bottom layer first, and then to the top layer. To do this, you have to turn the side face that contains the white edge piece once, either CW or CCW depending on which direction will bring it down. For example, if you see a white and red edge piece on the middle layer, you can move it to the bottom layer by turning R once CW or L once CCW.
Once you have moved all four white edge pieces to the top layer, you have to match their colors with their side center pieces. To do this, you have to turn the top face until the colors match. For example, if you have a white and blue edge piece on the top layer, you can turn U until it is aligned with B. Repeat this for all four white edge pieces until you have a white cross that matches the side center pieces.
Here are some tips and tricks to speed up this step:
- Don’t worry about the corners or the bottom layer at this point, just focus on the white edges and the side centers.
- Try to avoid undoing your previous moves by planning ahead and looking for the next white edge piece.
- Try to move more than one white edge piece at a time if possible, by using double turns or rotations.
Congratulations, you have completed the first step of solving a Rubik’s cube! You should now have a white cross on the top face of your cube that matches the side center pieces. Here is how your cube should look like:
Step 2: Solve the White Corners
The second step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to solve the white corners on the top face of the cube. This means that you have to find and move the four white corner pieces to their correct positions on the top layer, so that they form a complete white face with the white cross.
To do this, you have to look for the white corner pieces on the bottom layer of the cube. If you see one on the bottom layer, you can move it to the top layer by using one of the three algorithms below, depending on the orientation of the white sticker. The algorithms are written in terms of F, R, D, and U moves, but you can use any side face that contains the white corner piece. For example, if you see a white corner piece on the bottom layer with the white sticker facing down, you can use F D F’ to bring it up to the top layer.
| White sticker facing | Algorithm |
|---|---|
| Down | F D F’ |
| Front | D’ R’ D R |
| Right | R’ D’ R |
Once you have moved all four white corner pieces to the top layer, you have to match their colors with their side center pieces. To do this, you have to turn U until each corner piece is above its matching side face. For example, if you have a white, green, and red corner piece on the top layer, you can turn U until it is above G and R.
Here are some tips and tricks to speed up this step:
- Don’t worry about messing up your white cross at this point, just focus on the white corners and their side colors.
- Try to avoid moving a solved white corner piece from its place by using U moves or rotations.
- Try to solve more than one white corner piece at a time if possible, by using double turns or rotations.
Congratulations, you have completed the second step of solving a Rubik’s cube! You should now have a complete white face on the top of your cube that matches the side center pieces. Here is how your cube should look like:
Step 3: Solve the Middle Layer
The third step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to solve the middle layer of the cube. This means that you have to find and move the four edge pieces that belong to the middle layer to their correct positions, so that they match the colors of the side center pieces.
To do this, you have to look for the edge pieces that have no yellow stickers on the bottom layer of the cube. If you see one on the bottom layer, you can move it to the middle layer by using one of the two algorithms below, depending on which direction you want to move it. The algorithms are written in terms of U, R, F, and L moves, but you can use any side face that contains the edge piece. For example, if you see a green and red edge piece on the bottom layer, and you want to move it to the middle layer between G and R, you can use U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F.
| Direction | Algorithm |
|---|---|
| Left | U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’ |
| Right | U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F |
Once you have moved all four edge pieces to the middle layer, you have completed this step. Here are some tips and tricks to speed up this step:
- Don’t worry about messing up your white face or your top layer at this point, just focus on the edge pieces and their side colors.
- Try to avoid moving a solved edge piece from its place by using U moves or rotations.
- Try to solve more than one edge piece at a time if possible, by using double turns or rotations.
Congratulations, you have completed the third step of solving a Rubik’s cube! You should now have two complete layers on your cube that match the side center pieces. Here is how your cube should look like:
Step 4: Make a Yellow Cross
The fourth step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to make a yellow cross on the top face of the cube. This means that you have to orient the four yellow edge pieces on the top layer, so that they form a cross shape with a yellow center piece in the middle.
To do this, you have to use one of the four algorithms below, depending on the shape of the yellow cross that you have on the top face. The algorithms are written in terms of F, R, and U moves, but you can use any side face that contains a yellow edge piece. For example, if you have a dot shape on the top face, you can use F R U R’ U’ F’ to make a line shape.
| Shape | Algorithm |
|---|---|
| Dot | F R U R’ U’ F’ |
| Line | F U R U’ R’ F’ |
| L | F U R U’ R’ F’ |
| Cross | None |
Once you have made a yellow cross on the top face, you have completed this step. Here are some tips and tricks to speed up this step:
- Don’t worry about messing up your two layers or your top corners at this point, just focus on the yellow edges and their orientation.
- Try to avoid repeating the same algorithm more than once by looking for the best shape to start with.
- Try to memorize the algorithms and their effects by practicing them several times.
Congratulations, you have completed the fourth step of solving a Rubik’s cube! You should now have a yellow cross on the top face of your cube. Here is how your cube should look like:
Step 5: Permute the Yellow Edges
The fifth step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to permute the yellow edges on the top face of the cube. This means that you have to position the four yellow edge pieces on the top layer, so that they match their side center pieces.
To do this, you have to use one of the two algorithms below, depending on how many yellow edge pieces are already in their correct place. The algorithms are written in terms of R, U, and L moves, but you can use any side face that contains a yellow edge piece. For example, if you have one yellow edge piece in its correct place, and it is on the right face, you can use R U R’ U R U2 R’ to permute the other three edge pieces.
| Number of edge pieces in place | Algorithm |
|---|---|
| None or two | R U R’ U R U2 R’ |
| One | R U R’ U R U2 R’ |
| All | None |
Once you have permuted all four yellow edge pieces on the top face, you have completed this step. Here are some tips and tricks to speed up this step:
- Don’t worry about messing up your two layers or your top corners at this point, just focus on the yellow edges and their position.
- Try to avoid repeating the same algorithm more than once by looking for the best edge piece to start with.
- Try to memorize the algorithm and its effect by practicing it several times.
Congratulations, you have completed the fifth step of solving a Rubik’s cube! You should now have three complete faces on your cube that match the side center pieces. Here is how your cube should look like:
Step 6: Permute the Yellow Corners
The sixth step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to permute the yellow corners on the top face of the cube. This means that you have to position the four yellow corner pieces on the top layer, so that they match their side colors.
To do this, you have to use one algorithm below, repeatedly until all four yellow corner pieces are in their correct place. The algorithm is written in terms of U, R, and L moves, but you can use any side face that contains a yellow corner piece. For example, if you have a yellow corner piece on the right face that needs to go to the left face, you can use U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L.
| Algorithm |
|---|
| U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L |
Once you have permuted all four yellow corner pieces on the top face, you have completed this step. Here are some tips and tricks to speed up this step:
- Don’t worry about messing up your three faces or your top edges at this point, just focus on the yellow corners and their position.
- Try to avoid doing unnecessary moves by looking for the best corner piece to start with.
- Try to memorize the algorithm and its effect by practicing it several times.
Congratulations, you have completed the sixth step of solving a Rubik’s cube! You should now have four complete faces on your cube that match the side center pieces. Here is how your cube should look like:
Step 7: Orient the Yellow Corners
The seventh and final step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to orient the yellow corners on the top face of the cube. This means that you have to rotate the four yellow corner pieces on the top layer, so that they align their stickers with the top color.
To do this, you have to use one algorithm below, repeatedly until all four yellow corner pieces are oriented correctly. The algorithm is written in terms of R, U, and L moves, but you can use any side face that contains a yellow corner piece. For example, if you have a yellow corner piece on the right face that needs to be rotated clockwise, you can use R’ D’ R D.
| Algorithm |
|---|
| R’ D’ R D |
Once you have oriented all four yellow corner pieces on the top face, you have completed this step and solved the cube. Here are some tips and tricks to speed up this step:
- Don’t worry about messing up your four faces or your top edges at this point, just focus on the yellow corners and their orientation.
- Try to avoid doing unnecessary moves by looking for the best corner piece to start with.
- Try to memorize the algorithm and its effect by practicing it several times.
Congratulations, you have completed the seventh and final step of solving a Rubik’s cube! You should now have a solved cube with six faces of one color each. Here is how your cube should look like:
Conclusion
You have just learned how to solve a Rubik’s cube using an easy and simple method that only requires seven steps and a few algorithms. You have also learned some basic terms and notations that are useful for cubing. You should be proud of yourself for accomplishing this challenge and improving your brain skills.
But don’t stop here. There are many ways to improve your speed and efficiency in solving a Rubik’s cube. You can learn more advanced methods and algorithms that can reduce the number of moves and steps. You can also practice with different types and sizes of cubes, such as 2×2, 4×4, or 5×5. You can also use online tools and resources to help you learn and improve, such as:
- Rubik’s Cube Solver: A website that can solve any scrambled cube for you in a few seconds.
- Cube Timer: A website that can measure your solving time and track your progress.
- Cube Scrambler: A website that can generate random scrambles for your cube.
- Cube Simulator: A website that can simulate a virtual cube that you can manipulate with your mouse or keyboard.
- Cube Wiki: A website that can provide you with more information and tips about cubing.
We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. Happy cubing!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to solving a Rubik’s cube:
- Q: How many possible combinations are there on a Rubik’s cube?
- A: There are 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible combinations on a Rubik’s cube. That’s more than 43 quintillion!
- Q: What is the world record for solving a Rubik’s cube?
- A: The current world record for solving a 3×3 Rubik’s cube is 3.47 seconds, set by Yusheng Du from China in 2018.
- Q: Who invented the Rubik’s cube?
- A: The Rubik’s cube was invented by Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian professor of architecture and design, in 1974.
- Q: What is the best way to lubricate a Rubik’s cube?
- A: The best way to lubricate a Rubik’s cube is to use a special cube lubricant that is designed for this purpose. You can buy it online or from a cube store. You can also use some household items, such as silicone spray, vaseline, or baby oil, but be careful not to use too much or damage your cube.
- Q: How can I solve a Rubik’s cube faster?
- A: There are many ways to solve a Rubik’s cube faster, such as learning more advanced methods and algorithms, practicing with a timer and a scrambler, improving your finger speed and accuracy, optimizing your cube with lubrication and tensioning, and watching tutorials and tips from expert cubers.
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