Oh, To Gleam The Cube

February 7, 2006 7:45 AM

My young nephew came across an ancient Rubik's Cube last fall, and the time has come to give him a hand in solving it. Obviously, Google returns a wealth of solutions. What I'm looking for, though, is a solution that teaches a logical process for solving the cube, rather than the rote memorization of algorithms. If that doesn't exist, can someone recommend a guide that has animation, or sharply executed diagrams, or at the very least is well-written and free of initialisms?
posted by boombot to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (9 answers total)

Solving it *is* an algorithmic process. You are finding your way to a single perfectly ordered goal state from one of the (4^6)/2 (ie, 43,252,003,274,489,856,000) disordered states. There is no reasonable way to accomplish this within a finite lifetime without using algorithmics.
posted by meehawl at 8:17 AM on February 7, 2006

So, then, some memorization of movements (a process of them) will be required? If that is the case, can anyone offer a recommendation for a guide that skillfully uses animation or diagrams? I'm looking for something clean, that a preteen can understand clearly.
posted by boombot at 8:22 AM on February 7, 2006

This one's okay.

The "record" currently stands around 11 seconds or so. That frightens me. Who are these people?
posted by meehawl at 8:36 AM on February 7, 2006

I don't have an URL recommendation; I had a book once upon a time. I do recall that the sequence of movements was not all that hard to learn.

Alternately, you can teach him to use a screwdriver to pry the cube apart, then reassemble it solved. This is indeed a logical method to solving the cube, and perhaps there is some sort of life lesson there.
posted by jellicle at 8:44 AM on February 7, 2006

I second meehawl's guide suggestion, I learned how to solve it inside 5 minutes or so in a few days using that guide. Memorization is the only way to go - that and muscle memory. I can almost do it blindfolded now. Very relaxing!
posted by loquax at 8:51 AM on February 7, 2006

Alternately, you can teach him to use a screwdriver to pry the cube apart, then reassemble it solved. This is indeed a logical method to solving the cube, and perhaps there is some sort of life lesson there.

We just peeled off and reapplied the stickers - no tools needed.
posted by jalexei at 8:52 AM on February 7, 2006

This might be what you're looking for.
posted by bshort at 9:21 AM on February 7, 2006

Here's the official solution that I've used for great justice. Works well.
posted by Mach5 at 11:30 AM on February 7, 2006

reassemble it solved

If you want to be cruel, you can reassemble it so that it is unsolvable...
posted by meehawl at 12:46 PM on February 7, 2006