Rubik’s Cube: Tips

08/1/08

For an ideal kind of cube, it’s best to put Petroleum Jelly in the cube.

How to disassemble the cube: 

Rotate a face(part of 9) of the cube 45 degrees and pull out the edge (middle) and then the corners and put a small amount of the jelly in it. Rotate face until all sectors are slippery. Return the blocks at their correct position and turn it for a few times. Repeat if necessary (to all faces/ sides)

Warning:Too much application of petroleum jelly on the cube may lead to easy dismantling and loose handling.

These are the lists of methods that I know: (These may help you)

Jennifer Fridrich (no algorithms)

Keyhole Method

Tip: Make your own solution, cutting the algorithms and moves. 

 

Rubik’s Cube: Fast Explanation

These are the videos referring to the mechanism of the cube:

(It is fast, but you could refer to my past posts for a detailed explanation)

Video List: (Just Toggle and play through)

Enjoy Cubing!

 

Rubik’s Cube: The Final Layer

The first thing to consider in solving the final layer is to make a CROSS.

There are three stages or cases before we arrive to the cross-pattern(last stage). If you have already set to a stage (even if it’s 2nd), just proceed with the algorithm until you arrive at the CROSS.

(Note: Always face the right side considering that the top layer is on TOP of the cube)

The Algorithm: 

F R U R’ U’ F’

Stage 1: The Dot

(The occurence of the top left white corner is accidental, disregard this, you must proceed to the Cross first.)

Stage 2: The J or Inverted L 

Stage 3: The Horizontal Line

 

 

Stage 4: The Cross

 After arriving at the cross, try to look at the sides of the cross.

In this algorithm, It will correct the cross’ color scheme combination with respect to the colors of the sides.

 (Note: The right edges must be AWAY from you)

R U R’ U R U U R’

After securing the edges, let’s go to th corners.

Make sure the corners are on their right SPOT (they are in the right place but in the wrong color orientation): 

In the figure, you could see that the corner blue-orange-white is on the right place but the wrong orientation. If only one of these exists It must be remained towards you.  

The Algorithm (Fixing the Corner’s Places) 

U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L

If ALL the corners are in the right place but in different orientation, our last algorithm takes place.

(Note: The fixed block must be away from you, and the unfixed block must be towards you, on the right-hand side)

The Algorithm (Fixing the Corner’s Orientation) 

R’ D’ R D

(Repeat this until you fix the cubes one by one, after a block turn U’ to fix another block until you arrive to this:

Enjoy Cubing!

 

Rubik’s Cube: The Second Layer

I’ll introduce now the ALGORITHMS (pattern of movements).

Algorithm Legends:

F(Front)

R(Right)

U(Up)

D(Down)

L(Left)

To avoid confusion, I did not include the B (Back) algorithm.

The (’) sign is used to indicate the “inverted” rotation of the face of the cube.

Each movement must rotate CLOCKWISE, if it has the (’) sign it must rotate COUNTERCLOCKWISE.

Provided that, you are actually facing the right side or face of the cube.

Case 1:

In this image, look at the red-green duoblock, it must be positioned to the left:

0×0          000

000   >>   x00

000          000

In the diagram, the (X) or the block must transfer to its left provided it occupies the right color scheme.

The algorithm is:

L’ U’ L’ U’ L’ U L U L

Case 2:

In this image,look at the orange-green duoblock, it must be positioned to the right.

0×0           000

000     >>  00x

000           000

In the diagram, the (X) or the block must transfer to its right provided it occupies the right color scheme.

The algorithm is:

R U R U R U’ R’ U’ R’

After inserting all appropriate block to their proper places then check the base.