Ever Solve a Rubik's Cube? Here's how...

[tron3]

Some weeks ago I came across an Android app, Cube Wizard, which only solves 2x2x2 and 3x3x3 Cubes. Some other apps let you play with virtual cubes.

This prompted me to retry something I have never solved - solving the cube!
So, I eventually purchased said cubes, jumbled them, and attempted to solve them. Prrrrf - yeah, right. Cube Wizard to the rescue!

However, I have been watching various youtube video's on solving the cube and hope to actually pay enough attention to learn how to beat the darn thing on my own.


How about you? Peeling stickers or reassembling does not count!

[HyperRealist]

I did with a cheat book in the 80s.

[MrHT]

I'm only able to get the colors to match on one side. I could never figure out the whole cube. It's too hard for me. I once saw a guy in the subway solve it in just a few minutes. It looked so easy for him.

[Captain Kirk]

I only own one for nostalgia. I've never taken the time to try and complete it.

[AnimalChin]

I've never done myself. I've gotten to the point where my brother takes it and a few moves later it's done so I know I'm close but I've never finished it on my own

[Villiam Hayes]

I pulled mine apart and put it back together in the correct way,does that count?

[HyperRealist]

Just get this book. I was able to do it with this book when I was under 10 years old.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Simple-Sol...I3LDOIV1AQL5AV

[MrHT]

All this talk makes me want to give this cube another go. I can't seem to remember where my rubik's cube is. I either lost it or threw it out. Luckily, my local dollar store has one. I'll pick one up later this week.

[HyperRealist]

I just ordered one and that book. It's been like 30 years.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Villiam Hayes

I pulled mine apart and put it back together in the correct way,does that count?

See OP's post...

Originally Posted by tron3

Peeling stickers or reassembling does not count!

[Villiam Hayes]

Originally Posted by MrHT

See OP's post...

Oop's,I never read that far but that's because I was being sarcastic anyway.

[Anthony P]

back in the 80's on the original cube that I had, never tried a 2 or 4, did not even know they existed

[tron3]

Well, with the resurgence in interest let's get up to speed here. Certainly, I am no expert but I am picking up tips.

When you complete a side, do all the colors around the side of the first layer match? If not, that is called parity (or parity error). You will never solve the cube if that first layer is not done right. Apparently, some people solve it layers and others use the "cross" method which I have yet to understand.

There are odd and even cubes. The odds being 3x3x3, 5x5x5, 7x7x7 and 9x9x9, etc. Yes, they make them that large. What makes them odd is they have a true center. The center never changes so it indicates the color that side should be.

It is trickier with even cubes such as 2x2x2, 4x4x4 (Rubik's Revenge), 6x6x6 and 8x8x8. They have no true identifiable center because it is comprised of 4 shifting blocks of color. These are generally solved from the inside out.

Once you know the twisting techniques to correct parity errors without destroying finished work, you can solve the respective cubes. After that, bigger cubes simply take longer.

The trick is in knowing twisting algorithms. Again, I know this mostly in theory and not practical use yet.

[Race Bannon]

I could solve it when I was a kid, during the first Rubik's craze. My best time was something like 42 seconds. I could consistently do it in under a minute.

I think my method was the layer method. There are some algorithms that are faster.

I read it in a book I had when I was a kid.

[MrHT]

I just bought one today just to try it and it's just as hard as I remembered it. Apparently, as I got older, I didn't get any wiser. I'm telling you, I once saw a guy in the subway solve this like it was so easy for him. That just goes to show you that it can't be that hard. I must be so stupid.

[MrHT]

If you guys need any help, you can use this:

http://ruwix.com/online-rubiks-cube-solver-program/

It's definitely cheating because you don't really learn anything. It just solves it for you.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by MrHT

If you guys need any help, you can use this:

http://ruwix.com/online-rubiks-cube-solver-program/

It's definitely cheating because you don't really learn anything. It just solves it for you.

The same could be said of Cube Magic for Android. However, if you closely observe the patterns you may learn a trick or two.

[blujacket]

A side or two was all I could ever do.

[stevo4264]

I gave up all those years ago. The Cube beat me...

[Supaclyde]

I learned how to solve a 3x3 from watching a Youtube video 5 or 6 years ago. I can't remember how to do it now. I can get a side easily now but that's it.