People often wonder how to learn how to solve a Rubik's cube and how to then increase the speed of its assembly, because many professional athletes collect it in just 7-10 seconds. 80% of them complete the task in 12 seconds.

Here it becomes clear that there is something more behind skill and experience: talent, skill, formulas, system?

All professional speedcubing athletes (the so-called speed cube assembly) create their own systems, come up with their own unique combinations that are convenient for them personally. But some fans of sports cube assembly went further and created general rules to help beginners in this difficult task. One of these athletes was Jessica Friedrich, whose formulas are used by many speedcubers to this day, although they were invented more than thirty years ago.

The history of the appearance of the Rubik's cube

The puzzle got its start in Hungary in 1974. The creator of the Cube was the teacher of interior design Erno Rubik, who at that time was still living with his parents. Subsequently, he became one of the richest people in Hungary.

The idea of ​​creating a cube did not come to Erno right away: initially he came up with a special tutorial in the form of 27 small cubes with multi-colored edges. Using this material, Rubik explained to students the mathematical theory of groups. Over time, this manual has acquired the form of the existing now Rubik's cube - with 26 small cubes and a cylindrical part holding them together instead of a central inner cube.

The exit of the cube "to the masses"

In Hungary, as in the former socialist camp, it was rather difficult to develop individual entrepreneurship. Erno Rubik was able to patent his project only in 1975, while the release of the first cubes took place only in 1977. Rubik's invention received a large-scale development in 1980 after Tibor Lakzi and Tom Kremer became interested in it. As a result of their efforts to promote the Rubik's Cube, one of the famous American companies began to produce the puzzle, releasing a full-scale batch of one million copies.

At that time, every tenth civilized inhabitant faced this puzzle. In the USSR, the Rubik's cube appeared in 1981 and immediately gained popularity and love of the people. With him, children and their teachers went to school, collecting a cube under the desk or hiding behind a cool magazine, he was preferred to any birthday gifts.

Rubik's cube variations

In the original version, the Rubik's cube was a 3 × 3 × 3 system. Its visible elements are 26 small cubes and 54 colored faces. The six central cubes have one-color faces, twelve lateral cubes have two-color, and eight corner cubes have three-color. When assembled, all 6 faces of the large cube are painted in the same color, while, as a rule, the green face is opposite the blue one, the orange one is opposite the red one, and the white one is opposite the yellow one. This is a classic Rubik's cube model.

Now there are a lot of different cube models: 2 × 2, 4 × 4, and 5 × 5.

Cube Assembly Methods

There are a lot of methods for quickly solving a Rubik's cube, the main ones are:

• Roux;
• Petrus;
• CFOP, or Jessica Friedrich's method.

It is possible to get good results with all of these techniques, but the last one is the most popular. Let's dwell on it in more detail.

Jessica's method

Jessica Friedrich first picked up the Rubik's Cube while still a 16-year-old girl. She was so fascinated by this puzzle that she soon developed her own technique for solving the cube. In 1982, Jessica took first place in the speed cube competition.

Subsequently, Jessica herself refined the way she used to assemble the cube, and other people also took part in further development.

This is how Jessica Friedrich's method appeared, which is still very popular and used everywhere, thus she made a huge contribution to the sport called "speedcubing".

CFOP by Build Stage

How do you solve the Rubik's cube using Jessica Friedrich's method?

Friedrich divided her assembly system into 4 main parts, each of which got its own name: Cross, F2L, OLL, PLL. So Jessica Friedrich's method acquired a different name - CFOP by the first letters of each step. What is each level of the Friedrich cube?

1. Cross - the first point of the Rubik's cube, where you need to collect a cross on the starting side of the four edge cubes of the bottom side.
2. F2L (First two layers) - the second point of the Friedrich algorithm, where the lower and middle layers are assembled. This stage of the assembly can rightfully be considered the longest in the entire process: here it is necessary to completely assemble the face with a cross and an intermediate layer of four side cubes.
3. OLL (Orient the last layer) - orientation of the cubes of the top layer. Here it is necessary to collect the last edge, while it is not so important that the cubes are not yet in their places.
4. PLL (Permute the last layer) - the correct arrangement of the cubes of the top layer.

Anyone can understand Jessica Friedrich's system, but only a very patient and diligent person can solve the cube in 30 seconds and faster. In such a matter as the assembly of the Rubik's cube, the technical knowledge of the process is not enough; here you cannot do without skill, some experience and lengthy training.

The main thing that can be advised for a beginner speedcube is to buy a high-quality puzzle, and not a Chinese fake. The fact is that for quick assembly, you need to rotate the cube with one finger, while it should not be loose.

Also, before assembling the cube, it is advisable to lubricate the cube with silicone grease that comes with the puzzle or purchased separately, for example, at a car dealership.

By applying diligence, patience and endurance to the knowledge gained from Jessica Friedrich, anyone can quickly enough learn how to solve the Rubik's cube.

How to entertain yourself when you have a free minute, but nothing to do? Solving all sorts of puzzles is a great option!

The most popular puzzle in the history of mankind is rightfully considered the famous Rubik's cube, invented back in 1975 and named after its inventor. After his birth, he immediately "took over the whole world." At a minimum, everyone tried to solve the Rubik's cube, but not everyone was able to do it.

How to solve a Rubik's cube? It is quite difficult to do this without outside help, absolutely independently, this is far from a child's task. You need to know the algorithm for solving the Rubik's cube.

By the way, it has been proven that for any initial situation, a 3x3x3 cube can be completely assembled in no more than 20 moves (turns). The number 20, therefore, is also called the number of God, and the algorithm that collects the cube in the minimum number of moves is called the algorithm of God.

If you have long wanted to know how to solve the Rubik's cube, then this post is for you. Let's end this task once and for all and have ourselves a little party. Having done this, you can safely put a plus sign in the list of your achievements and then trump your acquaintances who do not know how to do this. So, we present to your attention the algorithm for solving the Rubik's cube.

The pictures show the schemes of actions, following which, in the end, we will be able to arrange the colors on the sides of the cube.

First, let's figure out the designations that are used in the diagrams, and with which we will operate in the process of studying the algorithm for solving the Rubik's cube of the classic 3x3x3 size.

Party designations:

• F - frontal (front)
• Z - back
• L - left
• P - right
• V - upper
• N - bottom

Now let's deal with turn names which we will apply to the sides described above.

The letter without any prefixes denotes the rotation of the indicated side by a quarter of a full turn (90 degrees) clockwise(For example, " F"Means that we turn the front side by a quarter of a turn clockwise, i.e. one shift).

The letter c " ’ "Means the rotation of the indicated side by a quarter of a full turn (90 degrees) counterclock-wise... Thus, the inscription “ F '"Means that we must turn the front side by a quarter of a full turn counterclock-wise.

The letter c " ’ ’ "Means that we turn the indicated side in any direction half turn(180 degrees)

Let's fix: the inscription L ’ ’ PF ' means that first we rotate the left edge half a turn, then we make a quarter turn of the right edge clockwise and end the combination with a quarter turn of the front edge counterclockwise.

Arrangement of flowers.

Select the bottom color, it will remain at the bottom throughout the entire cube assembly process. Instead of the gray color, which is shown in the diagrams of the Rubik's cube solving algorithm, there can be any color, it does not matter. The place where we moved the part we need will be shown in black. See the first drawing.

We pass directly to the assembly and the answer to the question "How to solve the Rubik's cube?"

Step # 1.

You need to collect a cross on the bottom side of the cube, so that all the middle side squares correspond to the midpoints of the side faces (look at the diagram). Unfortunately, there is no ready-made algorithm here. We'll have to tinker a little and use our brains.

Step # 2.

The second step is to assemble the bottom layer. We need to put the bottom corner cubes in place. Everything is much simpler here than in step 1 - there are ready-made turn templates.

If the corner is in the bottom layer, but is incorrectly oriented, then it must first be lifted up, rotated as we need it and put in its rightful place. We look at the picture and apply the techniques given there. Each turn has a corresponding formula, which we dealt with a little higher.

Step # 3.

The bottom layer is assembled. Let's move on to the second, middle layer. We place 4 side cubes of the second layer in their rightful places. If the side cube is in its place, but not rotated correctly, then you can turn it over by performing the following actions - see the diagram.

Two layers are assembled. There is a final spurt left, but you shouldn't relax ahead of time.

Step # 4.

The task is to turn the middle cubes of the upper layer with the color we need upwards. At the same time, it does not matter in their place they are or not, at this step it is not so important. Applying one of the proposed schemes of actions, we turn the sides of the upper side with the desired color upwards.

Step # 5.

A cross of the desired color turned out on the upper face, however, as you could understand from the previous paragraph, the side cubes of the upper face may not be in their places. The task of the 5th step is to put them in their places.

There are 4 options, each of which has its own effective algorithm of actions. We apply them and put the sides in place. The cross of the upper edge can be considered fully assembled.

Step 6.

Are we continuing to figure out how to solve the Rubik's cube? And we almost reached the home stretch.

We set the corners of the upper face to their places, but at the same time they can be turned over.

In this case " in place”Means that the corner contains the colors of all central squares of those faces at the junction of which it is located.

There are three rotation formulas that correspond to the three ways to move the corner cubes. We remind you that the corners may be incorrectly oriented, but they must fall into place.

Step 7.

Friends, we made it to the finish line! The last step in solving the Rubik's cube remains.

Corner cubes are in place, but some may not be oriented correctly. They need to be turned over. To do this, perform the operations described in the diagram of step # 7 in pairs (see the figure above).

Happened? Well, of course it worked! In just 7 steps, we have coped with the puzzle that did not let and does not let millions of people sleep.

Naturally, you did not memorize all the steps and formulas of turns and movement at one time. Here you just need to practice and get your hands on it.

The main thing is that you now know exactly the answer to the question " How to solve a Rubik's cube»?

How to solve the Rubik's Cube

In a nutshell: if you memorize 7 simple formulas no more than 8 rotations each, then you can safely learn how to collect an ordinary 3x3x3 cube in a couple of minutes. Faster than a minute and a half, this algorithm will not succeed in solving the cube, but two or three minutes is easy!

Introduction

Like any cube, the puzzle has 8 corners, 12 edges and 6 faces: top, bottom, right, left, front and back. Usually, each of the nine squares on each face of the Cube is colored in one of six colors, usually located in pairs opposite each other: white-yellow, blue-green, red-orange, forming 54 colored squares. Sometimes instead of solid colors on the edge of the Cube, they are applied, then it becomes even more difficult to assemble it.

In the assembled ("initial") state, each face consists of squares of the same color, or all the pictures on the faces are correctly folded. After a few turns, the cube is "stirred".

To collect the Cube is to return it from the stirred one to its original state. This, in fact, is the main point of the puzzle. Many enthusiasts find it a pleasure to build "solitaire" - patterns .

Cube ABC

The classic Cube consists of 27 parts (3x3x3 = 27):

6 one-color central elements (6 "centers")

12 two-color side or rib elements (12 "ribs")

8 three-color corners (8 "corners")

1 inner element - crosspiece

The cross (or ball, depending on the design) is located in the center of the Cube. The centers are attached to it and thereby fasten the remaining 20 elements, preventing the puzzle from falling apart.

Elements can rotate in "layers" - in groups of 9 pieces. Rotation of the outer layer clockwise by 90 ° (if you look at this layer) is considered "direct" and will be denoted by a capital letter, and counterclockwise rotation - "reverse" to the direct one - and will be denoted by a capital letter with an apostrophe "" ".

6 outer layers: Top, Bottom, Right, Left, Front (front layer), Back (back layer). There are three more inner layers. In this assembly algorithm, we will not rotate them separately, we will only use the rotations of the outer layers. In the world of speedcubers, it is customary to make designations in Latin letters from the words Up, Down, Right, Left, Front, Back.

Turning symbols:

clockwise (↷) - V N P L F T ⇔U D R L F B

counterclockwise (↶) - V "N" P "L" F "T" ⇔U "D" R "L" F "B"

When assembling the Cube, we will sequentially rotate the layers. The sequence of turns is recorded from left to right one after the other. If a rotation of a layer needs to be repeated twice, then an icon of degree “2” is placed after it. For example, Ф 2 means that it is necessary to rotate the front twice, i.e. Ф 2 = ФФ or Ф "Ф" (whichever is more convenient). In Latin notation, F2 is written instead of Ф 2. I will write formulas in two notations - Cyrillic and latin, separating them with this sign ⇔.

For the convenience of reading long sequences, they are divided into groups, which are separated from neighboring groups by dots. If you need to repeat some sequence of rotations, then it is enclosed in parentheses and the number of repetitions is written at the top right of the closing parenthesis. In Latin notation, a multiplier is used instead of an exponent. In square brackets, I will indicate the number of such a sequence or, as they are usually called, "formulas".

Now, knowing the conventional notation language for the rotation of the Cube layers, you can proceed directly to the assembly process.

Assembly

There are many ways to solve the Cube. There are those that allow you to collect a cube with a couple of formulas, but in a few hours. Others, on the contrary, by memorizing a couple of hundred formulas, they can solve a cube in ten seconds.

Below I will describe the most simple (from my point of view) method, which is visual, easy to understand, requires memorizing only seven simple "formulas" and at the same time allows you to collect a Cube in a couple of minutes. When I was 7 years old, I mastered such an algorithm in a week and solved the cube in an average of 1.5-2 minutes, which amazed my friends and classmates. That is why I call this assembly method the "simplest" one. I will try to explain everything on my fingers, almost without pictures.

We will collect the Cube in horizontal layers, first the first layer, then the second, then the third. We will split the assembly process into several stages. There will be five of them in total and one additional.

6/26 At the very beginning, the cube is disassembled (but the centers are always in place).

Build steps:

10/26 - cross of the first layer ("upper cross")

14/26 - corners of the first layer

16/26 - second layer

22/26 - cross of the third layer ("lower cross")

26/26 - corners of the third layer

26/26 - (additional stage) center rotation

To assemble the classic Cube, you will need the following "Formulas":

FV "PV ⇔FU "RU- rotation of the edge of the upper cross

(P "N" · PN) 1-5 ⇔(R "D · RD) 1-5- "Z-switch"

VP V "P" V "F" VF ⇔UR U "R" U "F" UF- rib 2 layers down and to the right

V "L" · VL · VF · V "F" ⇔U "L" · UL · UF · U "F"- rib 2 layers down and to the left

FPV · P "V" F " ⇔FRU · R "U" F "- rotation of the edges of the lower cross

PV · P "V · PV" 2 · P "V ⇔RU · R "U · RU" 2 · R "U- rearrangement of the edges of the lower cross ("fish")

V "P" · VL · V "P · VL" ⇔U "R" · UL · U "R · UL"- rearrangement of corners 3 layers

The first two stages could not have been described, since assembling the first layer is fairly easy "intuitively". But, nevertheless, I will try to describe everything thoroughly and on the fingers.

Stage 1 - the cross of the first layer ("upper cross")

The purpose of this stage: the correct location of the 4 upper ribs, together with the upper center of the "cross".

So, the Cube is completely disassembled. In fact, not completely. A distinctive feature of the classic Cube is its design. Inside there is a cross (or ball), which rigidly connects the centers. The center determines the color of the entire face of the Cube. Therefore, 6 centers always already stand in their places! First, select the top. Usually the assembly starts with a white top and a green front. For non-standard colors, choose whichever is more convenient. Hold the Cube so that the top center ("top") is white and the front center ("front") is green. The main thing when assembling is to remember what color is the top and what is the front, and when rotating the layers, do not accidentally rotate the whole Cube and not get lost.

Our goal is to find a rib with top and front colors and place it in between. At the very beginning, we look for a white-green edge and place it between the white top and the green front. Let's call the element we are looking for as a “working cube” or RK.

So, let's start assembling. The top is white, the front is green. We look at the Cube from all sides, without letting go of it, without touching it in our hands or rotating the layers. We are looking for RK. It can be located anywhere. Found. After that, in fact, the assembly process itself begins.

If the RC is in the first (top) layer, then by double rotation of the outer vertical layer on which it is located, we "drive" it down to the third layer. We act similarly if the RC is in the second layer, only in this case we drive it down not by double, but by single rotation.

It is desirable to drive out so that the RC turns out to be the color of the top down, then it will be easier to install it in place. When driving the RC down, you need to remember about the edges that are already in place, and if some edge has been touched, then you must remember to return it to its place later by reverse rotation.

After the RC is on the third layer, rotate the bottom and "adjust" the RC to the center of the front. If the RC is already on the third layer, then just put it in front of us from the bottom, rotating the bottom layer. Then turn F 2 ⇔F2 we put the RC in place.

After the RC is in place, there can be two options: either it is rotated correctly, or it is not. If it is rotated correctly, then everything is OK. If it is turned incorrectly, then we turn it over with the formula FV "PV ⇔FU "RU... If the RK is "kicked out" correctly, i.e. color of the top down, then this formula will hardly have to be applied.

We proceed to the installation of the next edge. Without changing the top, we change the front, i.e. turn the Cube to us with a new side. And again we repeat our algorithm until all the remaining edges of the first layer are in place, forming a white cross on the upper face.

During the assembly process, it may turn out that the RC is already in place or it can be put in place (without destroying the already assembled one) without first driving it down, but "immediately". Well, good! In this case, the cross will be collected faster!

So, already 10 out of 26 elements are in place: 6 centers are always in place and 4 edges have just been placed.

Stage 2 - the corners of the first layer

The goal of the second stage is to collect the entire top layer by setting four corners in addition to the already assembled cross. In the case of the cross, we looked for the desired edge and put it in the front at the top. Now our RC is not an edge, but an angle, and we will place it in the front top right. To do this, we will act in the same way as in the first stage: first, we will find it, then we will "expel" it to the bottom layer, then we will put it in the front at the bottom right, i.e. under the place we need, and then we will drive it up.

There is one beautiful and simple formula. (P "N" · PN) ⇔(R "D" · RD)... She even has a "smart" name -. It must be remembered.

We are looking for an element with which we will work (RC). In the upper right near corner, there should be a corner that has the same colors as the centers of the top, front and right. We find it. If the RC is already in place and correctly rotated, then by turning the entire Cube we change the front and look for a new RC.

If the RC is in the third layer, then we rotate the bottom and adjust the RC to the place we need, i.e. front bottom right.

We spin the Z-switch! If the corner does not snap into place, or stands up, but is incorrectly turned, then turn the Z switch again, and so on until the RC is at the top in place and correctly rotated. Sometimes you need to turn the Z-switch up to 5 times.

If the RC is in the upper layer and is not in place, then we expel it from there by any other using the same Z-switch. That is, first we turn the Cube so that the top remains white, and the RC that needs to be kicked out is in the upper right in front of us and we turn the Z-switch. After the RC is "driven out", we again turn the Cube towards us with the necessary front, rotate the bottom, put the already driven RC under the place we need and drive it up with the Z-switch. We rotate the Z-commutator until the cube is oriented properly.

We apply this algorithm to the remaining corners. The result is a fully assembled first layer of the Cube! 14 out of 26 cubes are standing still!

Let's admire this beauty for a while and turn the Cube over so that the assembled layer is at the bottom. Why is this necessary? We will soon need to start assembling the second and third layers, and the first layer has already been assembled and interferes with the top, covering all the layers of interest to us. Therefore, we will turn them upside down in order to better see all the remaining and uncollected ugliness. The top and bottom have changed places, right and left too, but the front and rear remained the same. The top is now yellow. Let's start assembling the second layer.

I want to warn you, with each step the Cube takes on a more collected look, but when you twist the formulas, the already assembled sides are stirred. The main thing is not to panic! At the end of the formula (or sequence of formulas), the cube will be reassembled. If, of course, you follow the main rule - during the rotation, you cannot twist the entire Cube, so as not to accidentally get lost. Only individual layers as written in the formula.

Stage 3 - the second layer

So, the first layer is assembled, and it is at the bottom. We need to put 4 edges on the 2nd layer. They can now be located both on the second and on the third (now top) layer.

Select any edge on the top layer without the color of the top edge (no yellow). Now it will be our RK. Rotating the top, we adjust the RC so that it matches in color with some lateral center. We turn the Cube so that this center becomes the front.

Now there are two options: our working cube needs to be moved down to the second layer, either to the left or to the right.

There are two formulas for this:

down and right VP V "P" V "F" VF ⇔UR U "R" U "F" UF

down and left V "L" · VL · VF · V "F" ⇔U "L" · UL · UF · U "F"

If suddenly the RC is already in the second layer out of place, or on its own, but incorrectly rotated, then we "expel" it by any other, using one of these formulas, and then we apply this algorithm again.

Be careful. The formulas are long, you can't make a mistake, otherwise the Cube will "figure it out" and you will have to start the assembly again. It's okay, even champions sometimes get confused when assembling.

In total, after this stage, we have two collected layers - 19 out of 26 cubes are in place!

(If you want to optimize the assembly of the first two layers a little, you can use here.)

Stage 4 - the cross of the third layer ("lower cross")

The goal of this step is to collect the cross of the last unassembled layer. Although the unassembled layer is now at the top, the cross is called the "bottom" because it was originally at the bottom.

First, we will expand the edges so that they are all facing upwards in a color that matches the color of the top. If they are already all turned up so that at the top a one-color flat cross is obtained, proceed to moving the edges. If the cubes are turned incorrectly, we will turn them over. There can be several cases of edge orientation:

A) everything is incorrectly turned

B) two adjacent ones are incorrectly rotated

B) two opposite ones are incorrectly turned

(There can be no other options! That is, it cannot be so that only one edge remains to be turned over. If two layers of the cube are collected, and on the third there is an odd number of edges left to turn over, then you can no longer sweat, but.)

We remember the new formula: FPV · P "V" F " ⇔FRU · R "U" F "

In case A) we twist the formula and get case B).

In case B) we rotate the Cube so that two correctly rotated edges are on the left and behind, we rotate the formula and we get case C).

In case B) we rotate the Cube so that the correctly rotated edges are on the right and left, and, again, we rotate the formula.

As a result, we get a "flat" cross from correctly oriented but out of place edges. Now you need to make the correct volumetric cross from a flat cross, i.e. move edges.

We remember the new formula: PV · P "V · PV" 2 · P "V ⇔RU · R "U · RU" 2 · R "U("Fish").

We twist the top layer so that at least two edges fall into place (the colors of their sides coincide with the centers of the side faces). If everything fell into place, then the cross is assembled, we proceed to the next stage. If not everything is in place, then there may be two cases: either two adjacent ones in place, or two opposite ones in place. If they are opposite in place, then we twist the formula and get adjacent ones in place. If the neighboring ones are in place, then turn the Cube so that they are on the right and behind. We twist the formula. After that, the edges that were out of place will be swapped. The cross is assembled!

NB: a quick note about the fish. This formula uses rotation IN 2 ⇔U "2, that is, we rotate the top counterclockwise two times. Basically, for Rubik's Cube IN 2 ⇔U "2 = IN 2 ⇔U2, but it's better to remember exactly IN 2 ⇔U "2, because this formula can be useful for assembling, for example, megaminx. But in megaminx IN 2 ⇔U "2 ≠ IN 2 ⇔U2, since one turn there is not 90 °, but 72 °, and IN 2 ⇔U "2 = AT 3 ⇔U3.

Stage 5 - the corners of the third layer

It remains to install in place, and then correctly rotate the four corners.

Remember the formula: V "P" · VL · V "P · VL" ⇔U "R" · UL · U "R · UL" .

We look at the corners. If they are all in place and it remains only to rotate them correctly, then look at the next paragraph. If not a single corner stands still, then we twist the formula, while one of the corners will exactly fit into place. We are looking for a corner that stands still. Rotate the Cube so that this corner is at the back to the right. We twist the formula. If at the same time the cubes do not fall into place, then we twist the formula again. After that, all the corners should be in their places, it remains to turn them correctly, and the Cube will be almost assembled!

At this stage, it remains to either turn three cubes clockwise, or three counterclockwise, or one clockwise and one counterclockwise, or two clockwise and two counterclockwise. There can be no other options! Those. it cannot be that there is only one corner cube left to turn over. Or two, but both clockwise. Or two clockwise and one counterclockwise. Correct combinations: (- - -), (+ + +), (+ -), (+ - + -), (+ + - -) ... If the two layers are assembled correctly, the correct cross is assembled on the third layer and the wrong combination is obtained, then again, you can no longer sweat, but go for a screwdriver (read). If everything is correct, read on.

Remembering our Z-switch (P "N" · PN) ⇔R "D" · RD... Rotate the Cube so that the incorrectly oriented corner is in the front right. We twist the Z-switch (up to 5 times) until the corner turns correctly. Further, without changing the front, we rotate the top layer so that the next “wrong” angle is in front on the right, and again we rotate the Z-commutator. And we do this until all the corners unfold. After that, rotate the top layer so that the colors of its edges coincide with the already assembled first and second layers. Everything! If we had a regular six-color cube, then it is already assembled! It remains to rotate the Cube with its original top (which is now bottom) upwards to get its original state.

Everything. The cube is complete!

Hope you find this guide useful!

Stage 6 - Rotation of the centers

Why isn't the cube going ?!

Many people ask the question: “I do everything as it is written in the algorithm, but the cube is still not going to be assembled. Why?" Usually the ambush is waiting on the last layer. Two layers are easy to assemble, but the third is not. Everything is stirred, you start to reassemble, again two layers, and again when assembling the third, everything is stirred. Why can this be so?

There are two reasons - obvious and not so:

Obvious... You don't follow the algorithms exactly. It is enough to make one turn in the wrong direction or to skip a turn for the whole Cube to move. At the initial stages (when assembling the first and second layers), incorrect rotation is not very fatal, but when assembling the third layer, the slightest mistake leads to complete mixing of all the assembled layers. But if you follow the above assembly algorithm exactly, then everything should come together. All formulas are time-tested, there are no errors in them.

Not very obvious... And most likely this is the case. Chinese manufacturers make Cubes of different quality - from professional championship cubes for high-speed assembly to falling apart in the hands at the very first spins. What do people usually do if a Cube falls apart? Yes, they put back the fallen out cubes, and do not worry about how they were oriented and where they stood. And you can't do that! Rather, it is possible, but the probability after that to collect the Rubik's Cube will be extremely small.

If the Cube falls apart (or, as the speedcubers say, “pomp”), and it was collected incorrectly, then when assembling the third layer, problems are likely to arise... How to solve this problem? Break it up again and assemble it correctly!

On a cube with two layers assembled, you need to gently pry the cover of the central cube of the third layer with a flat screwdriver or a knife, remove it, unscrew the screw with a small Phillips screwdriver, while not losing the spring put on the screw. Gently pull out the corner and side cubes of the third layer and insert them in the correct color to color. At the end, insert and screw on the previously unscrewed central cube (do not tighten too much). Twirl the third layer. If it turns tight, loosen the screw, if too light, tighten it. It is necessary that all the edges rotate with the same effort. Then close the center cube with the lid. Everything.

You can turn any edge by 45 ° without unscrewing it, pry one of the side cubes with your finger, knife or flat screwdriver and pull it out. Only this must be done carefully, because you can break the crosspiece. Then, in turn, pull out the required cubes and insert them back into their places, already correctly oriented. After everything has been assembled color to color, you will also need to insert (click) the side cube, which was pulled out at the beginning (or some other, but side cube, because the corner cube will definitely not work).

After that, the Cube can be mixed and easily assembled using the above algorithm. And now he will definitely get together! Unfortunately, one cannot do without such "barbaric" procedures with a knife and a screwdriver, since if the Cube was folded incorrectly after falling apart, it will not be possible to collect it by rotations.

PS: if you can't even collect two layers, then first you need to make sure that at least the centers are in the right places. Perhaps someone rearranged the center caps. The standard paint job should have 6 colors, white opposite yellow, blue opposite green, red opposite orange. Usually the top is white, the bottom is yellow, the front is orange, the rear is red, on the right is green, on the left is blue. But absolutely exactly the mutual arrangement of colors is determined by the corner cubes. For example, you can find angular white-blue-red and see that the colors are in a clockwise direction. So, if the top is white, then the right should be blue, and the front should be red.

PPS: if someone was joking, and not just rearranged the elements of the cube, but re-glued the stickers, then collecting the Cube is generally unrealistic, no matter how much you ruin it. No screwdriver will help here. It is necessary to calculate which stickers were re-glued, and then re-glue them into place.

Is it even easier?

Well, how much easier it is? This is one of the simplest algorithms. The main thing is to understand him. If you want to pick up a Rubik's Cube for the first time and immediately learn how to assemble it in a couple of minutes, then it is better to put it aside and do something less intellectual. Any training, including the simplest algorithm, takes time and practice, as well as brains and perseverance. As I said above, I mastered this algorithm myself in a week, when I was 7 years old, and I was on sick leave with a sore throat.

To some, this algorithm may seem complicated, because there are many formulas in it. You can try using some other algorithm. For example, you can solve the Cube by actually using one single formula, for example, the same Z-commutator. Only collecting in this way will take a long, long time. You can take another formula, for example, F · PV "P" V "· PVP" F "· PVP" V " cube, placing in place first all the side cubes, and then the corner ones.

There are a huge pile of algorithms, but each of them needs to be approached with due attention, and each takes a lot of time to master.

The human intellect needs constant training no less than the body in physical exertion. The best way to develop and expand the abilities of this quality of the psyche is to solve crosswords and solve puzzles, the most famous of which, of course, is the Rubik's cube. However, not everyone succeeds in collecting it. Knowledge of schemes and formulas for solving the assembly of this intricate toy will help to cope with this task.

What is a puzzle toy

A mechanical cube made of plastic, the outer edges of which are composed of small cubes. The size of the toy is determined by the number of small elements:

• 2 x 2;
• 3 x 3 (the original version of the Rubik's cube was exactly 3 x 3);
• 4 x 4;
• 5 x 5;
• 6 x 6;
• 7 x 7;
• 8 x 8;
• 9 x 9;
• 10 x 10;
• 11 x 11;
• 13 x 13;
• 17 x 17.

Any of the small cubes can rotate in three directions along the axes presented in the form of protrusions of a fragment of one of the three cylinders of a large cube. So the structure has the ability to rotate freely, but at the same time small parts do not fall out, but hold on to each other.

Each face of the toy includes 9 elements, painted in one of six colors, opposite each other in pairs. The classic combination of shades is:

• red opposite orange;
• white opposite yellow;
• blue opposite green.

However, modern versions can be painted in other combinations.

Today you can find Rubik's cubes of different colors and shapes.

It is interesting. The Rubik's Cube even exists in a version for the blind. There, instead of color squares, there is a relief surface.

The goal of the puzzle is to arrange the small squares so that they form the face of a large cube of the same color.

History of appearance

The idea for the creation belongs to the Hungarian architect Erna Rubik, who, in fact, did not create a toy, but a visual aid for his students. In such an interesting way, the resourceful teacher planned to explain the theory of mathematical groups (algebraic structures). It happened in 1974, and a year later the invention was patented as a puzzle toy - the future architects (and not only them) were so attached to the intricate and vivid manual.

The release of the first series of the puzzle was timed to coincide with the new year 1978, but the toy entered the world thanks to entrepreneurs Tibor Lakzy and Tom Kremer.

It is interesting. Since the inception of the Rubik's cube ("magic cube", "magic cube"), about 350 million copies have been sold worldwide, which puts the puzzle in the first place in popularity among toys. Not to mention dozens of computer games based on this assembly principle.

The Rubik's Cube is an iconic toy for generations

In the 80s, the inhabitants of the USSR got acquainted with the Rubik's cube, and in 1982 the first world championship in the assembly of the speed puzzle - speedcubing - was organized in Hungary. Then the best result was 22.95 seconds (for comparison: in 2017, a new world record was set: 4.69 seconds).

It is interesting. Fans of collecting a colorful puzzle are so attached to the toy that they are not satisfied with the assembly competition alone. Therefore, in recent years, there have been championships in solving the puzzle with closed eyes, one hand, and feet.

What are Rubik's Cube Formulas

To assemble a magic cube means to compose all the small details so that you get a whole face of the same color, you need to use the God's algorithm. This term denotes a set of minimum actions that will allow you to solve a puzzle that has a finite number of moves and combinations.

It is interesting. In addition to the Rubik's cube, the God algorithm is applied to such puzzles as Meffert's pyramid, Taken, Tower of Hanoi, etc.

Since the magic Rubik's cube was created as a mathematical tool, its assembly is decomposed according to the formulas.

The Rubik's cube solution is based on the use of special formulas

Important definitions

In order to learn how to understand the schemes for solving the puzzle, you need to get acquainted with the names of its parts.

1. A corner is a combination of three colors. In a 3 x 3 cube, there will be 3 of them, in a 4 x 4 version - 4, etc. The toy has 12 corners.
2. The rib indicates two colors. There are 8 of them in a cube.
3. The center contains one color. There are 6 of them in total.
4. The edges, as already mentioned, are simultaneously rotating puzzle pieces. They are also called "layers" or "slices".

Values ​​in formulas

It should be noted that the formulas for the assembly are written in the Latin alphabet - these are the schemes that are widely presented in various guides for working with the puzzle. But there are also Russified versions. The list below shows both options.

1. The front face (front or front) is the front face, which is the color towards us [Ф] (or F - front).
2. The back face is the face that is the center from us [З] (or B - back).
3. Right Face - the face that is on the right [P] (or R - right).
4. Left Face - the face that is on the left [L] (or L - left).
5. Bottom Face - the face that is at the bottom [H] (or D - down).
6. Top Face - the face that is at the top [B] (or U - up).

Photo Gallery: Rubik's Cube Parts and Their Definitions

To clarify the notation in the formulas, we use the Russian version - this will be clearer for beginners, but for those who want to go to the professional level of speedcubing, an international notation system in English is indispensable.

It is interesting. The international designation system is adopted by the World Cube Association (WCA).

1. The central cubes are indicated in the formulas by one lowercase letter - f, t, n, l, v, n.
2. Corner - in three letters according to the names of the faces, for example, FPV, Flni, etc.
3. Capital letters Ф, Т, П, Л, В, Н denote elementary operations of rotation of the corresponding face (layer, slice) of the cube 90 ° clockwise.
4. The designations Ф ", Т", П ", Л", В ", Н" correspond to the rotation of the edges by 90 ° counterclockwise.
5. The designations Ф 2, П 2, etc. indicate a double rotation of the corresponding face (Ф 2 = ФФ).
6. The letter C denotes the rotation of the middle layer. The subscript indicates which side to look from in order to make this rotation. For example, С П - from the right side, С Н - from the lower side, С "Л - from the left side, counterclockwise, etc. It is clear that С Н = С" В, С П = С "Л and etc.
7. Letter O - rotation (turnover) of the whole cube around its axis. О Ф - from the side of the front face clockwise, etc.

Recording the process (F "P") N 2 (PF) means: rotate the front face counterclockwise by 90 °, the same - the right face, rotate the lower face twice (that is, by 180 °), rotate the right face 90 ° along clockwise, rotate the front edge 90 ° clockwise.

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http://dedfoma.ru/kubikrubika/kak-sobrat-kubik-rubika-3x3x3.htm

It is important for beginners to learn to understand formulas

As a rule of thumb, the instructions for assembling a puzzle in classic colors recommend holding the puzzle with the yellow center up. This tip is especially important for beginners.

It is interesting. There are websites that visualize formulas. Moreover, the speed of the assembly process can be set independently. For example alg.cubing.net

How to solve the Rubik's puzzle

There are two types of schemes:

• for newbies;
• for professionals.

Their difference is in the complexity of the formulas, as well as in the speed of assembly. For beginners, of course, instructions corresponding to their level of puzzle skill will be more useful. But even after some practice they will be able to fold the toy in 2-3 minutes.

How to build a standard 3 x 3 cube

Let's start by building a classic 3 x 3 Rubik's cube using a 7-step diagram.

The classic version of the puzzle is the Rubik's cube 3 x 3

It is interesting. The reverse process used to solve certain incorrectly placed cubes is the reverse sequence of the action described by the formula. That is, the formula must be read from right to left, and the layers must be rotated counterclockwise, if a direct movement was specified, and vice versa: direct, if the opposite is described.

Step-by-step assembly instructions

1. We start by assembling the cross of the upper face. We lower the required cube down by turning the corresponding side face (P, T, L) and bring it to the front face with the operation H, H "or H 2. After that, we carry out the operation a) or b) of the first stage. In case a) the cube came out on the front face so that the color of its front face coincides with the color of the facade. In case b) the cube must not only be moved up, but also expanded so that it is correctly oriented, standing in its place.

   Collecting the top line cross

2. The required corner cube is found (having the colors of the faces Ф, В, Л) and, by the same technique described for the first stage, is displayed in the left corner of the selected front face (or yellow). There can be three cases of orientation of this cube. We compare our case with the figure and apply one of the operations of the second stage a, beat c. The dots on the diagram mark the place where the required cube should be. We find the other three corner cubes on the cube and repeat the described technique to move them to their places on the upper face. Result: the top layer is matched. The first two stages hardly cause any difficulties for anyone: it is quite easy to monitor your actions, since all attention is paid to one layer, and what is done in the remaining two is completely unimportant.

   Selecting the top layer

3. Our goal is to find the required cube and first bring it down to the front edge. If it is at the bottom - by simply turning the lower edge until it matches the color of the facade, and if it is in the middle layer, then it must first be lowered down any of the operations a) or b), and then match the color with the color of the facade edge and perform the operation of the third stage a) or b). Result: collected two layers. The formulas given here are mirrored in the full sense of the word. You can clearly see this if you put a mirror to the right or left of the cube (with the edge facing you) and do any of the formulas in the mirror: we will see the second formula. That is, operations with the front, lower, upper (not involved here), and back (also not involved) faces change their sign to the opposite: it was clockwise, it became counterclockwise, and vice versa. And the left side changes from the right, and, accordingly, changes the direction of rotation to the opposite.

   We find the required cube and bring it down to the front face

4. Operations that move the side cubes of one face, which ultimately do not violate the order in the assembled layers, lead to the goal. One of the processes that allows you to select all side edges is shown in the figure. It also shows what happens with the other cubes of the face. By repeating the process, choosing a different facade face, you can put all four cubes in place. Result: The ribs are in place, but two of them, or even all four, may be mis-oriented. Important: before proceeding with this formula, we look at which cubes are already in their places - they may be incorrectly oriented. If there is none or one, then we try to rotate the top face so that the two on two adjacent side faces (fv + pv, pv + tv, tv + lv, lv + fv) fall into place, after that we orient the cube like this , as shown in the figure, and we carry out the formula given at this stage. If it is not possible to combine the parts belonging to the neighboring faces by turning the upper face, then we carry out the formula at any position of the cubes of the upper face once and try again by turning the upper face to put 2 parts in their places that are on two adjacent side faces.

   It is important to check the orientation of the cubes at this stage.

5. We take into account that the unfolded cube should be on the right side, in the figure it is marked with arrows (cube pv). Figures a, b, and c show possible cases of the location of incorrectly oriented cubes (marked with dots). Using the formula in case a), we perform an intermediate turn B "to bring the second cube to the right side, and the final turn B, which will return the top face to its original position, in case b) an intermediate turn B 2 and the final turn B 2, and in case c) the intermediate turn B must be performed three times, after the flip of each cube and also completed with turn B. Many are confused by the fact that after the first part of the process (PS N) 4, the desired cube turns around as it should, but the order in the collected layers is violated. confused and makes some people to throw an almost completed cube halfway. Having completed an intermediate turn, not paying attention to the "breakage" of the lower layers, we perform operations (PS N) 4 with the second cube (the second part of the process), and everything falls into place. Result: the cross is assembled.

   The result of this stage will be the assembled cross

6. We put the corners of the last face in their places using an 8-way process that is easy to remember - a straight line, rearranging three corner pieces in a clockwise direction, and the opposite, rearranging three cubes in a counterclockwise direction. After the fifth stage, as a rule, at least one cube will sit in its place, albeit in an incorrectly oriented way. (If after the fifth stage none of the corner cubes has sat down, then we apply either of the two processes for any three cubes, after that exactly one cube will be in its place.). Result: All corner cubes are in place, but two of them (maybe four) may be oriented incorrectly.

   Corner cubes sit in their places

7. Repeat the sequence of turns of the PF "P" F many times. Rotate the cube so that the cube we want to unfold is in the upper right corner of the facade. An 8-way process (2 x 4 strokes) will rotate it 1/3 turn clockwise. If at the same time the cube is still not oriented, we repeat the 8-move again (in the formula this is reflected by the index "N"). We do not pay attention to the fact that the lower layers will come into disarray. The figure shows four cases of the location of incorrectly oriented cubes (they are marked with dots). In case a) an intermediate turn B and a final B "are required, in case b) - an intermediate and final turn B 2, in case c) - a turn B is performed after turning each cube to the correct orientation, and the final B 2, in case d) - an intermediate turn B is also performed after turning each cube to the correct orientation, and the final turn in this case will also be turn B. Result: the last face is assembled.

   Possible errors are indicated by dots.

The formulas for correcting the position of the cubes can be shown as follows.

Formulas for correcting incorrectly oriented cubes in the last step

The essence of Jessica Friedrich's method

There are several ways to assemble a puzzle, but one of the most memorable is the one developed by Jessica Friedrich, a professor at the University of Binghamton, New York, who develops techniques for hiding data in digital images. While still a teenager, Jessica was so carried away by the cube that in 1982 she became the world champion in speedcubing and subsequently did not abandon her hobby, developing formulas for quickly assembling the "magic cube". One of the most popular cube folding options is called CFOP - after the first letters of the four assembly steps.

Instructions:

1. We collect the cross on the upper face, which is made up of cubes on the edges of the lower face. This stage is called Cross - cross.
2. We collect the lower and middle layers, that is, the face on which the cross is located, and the intermediate layer, consisting of four side parts. The name of this step is F2L (First two layers) - the first two layers.
3. Putting together the rest of the facet, not paying attention to the fact that not all the details are in their places. The stage is called OLL (Orient the last layer), which translates as "orientation of the last layer."
4. The last level - PLL (Permute the last layer) - consists in the correct arrangement of the cubes of the top layer.

Video instructions on the Friedrich method

The speedcubers liked the method proposed by Jessica Friedrich so much that the most advanced amateurs develop their own methods to speed up the assembly of each of the stages proposed by the author.

Video: speeding up the assembly of the cross

Video: collecting the first two layers

Video: working with the last layer

Video: the last level of assembly by Friedrich

2 x 2

A 2 x 2 Rubik's cube or Rubik's mini cube is also stacked in layers, starting from the lowest level.

Mini-cube is a lightweight version of the classic puzzle

Easy assembly instructions for beginners

1. Collect the bottom layer so that the colors of the last four cubes coincide, and the remaining two colors are the same as the colors of the neighboring parts.
2. Let's start arranging the top layer. Please note that at this stage, the goal is not to match the colors, but to put the cubes in their places. We start by defining the color of the top. Everything is simple here: it will be the color that did not appear in the lower layer. Rotate any of the top cubes so that it is in the position where the three colors of the element intersect. Having fixed the corner, we place the elements of the remaining ones. We use two formulas for this: one for changing the diagonal cubes, the other for the adjacent ones.
3. Finish the top layer. We carry out all operations in pairs: we rotate one corner, and then another, but in the opposite direction (for example, the first clockwise, the second counterclockwise). You can work with three angles at once, but in this case there will be only one combination: either clockwise or counterclockwise. Between the rotations of the corners, we rotate the upper face so that the worked corner is in the upper right corner. If we work with three corners, then set the correctly oriented one at the back left.

Angle Rotation Formulas:

• (VFPV · P "V" F ") ² (5);
• В²Ф · В²Ф "· В" Ф · В "Ф" (6);
• FVF² · LFL² · VLV² (7).

To rotate three corners at once:

• (ФВПВ "П" Ф "В") ² (8);
• FV · F "V · FV² · F" V² (9);
• V²L "V" L²F "L" F²V "F" (10).

Photo gallery: 2 x 2 cube assembly

Video: Friedrich's method for a 2 x 2 cube

Collecting the most difficult cube versions

These include toys with parts ranging from 4 x 4 to 17 x 17.

Cube models with many elements usually have rounded corners for easy manipulation with the toy.

In 1975 the sculptor Erne Rubik patented his invention called "The Magic Cube". For over 40 years, all rights to the puzzle have belonged to the company of the inventor's close friend, Tom Krener, called Seven Towns Ltd. The British firm controls the production and sale of the cube all over the world. In Hungary, Germany, Portugal, and retained its original name, in other countries the toy is called the Rubik's cube.

Varieties of the puzzle

The classic Rubik's cube measures 3 by 3 squares. Over time, they came up with a huge number of shapes and sizes for toys. No one will be surprised anymore with a puzzle in the form of a pyramid or a cube size of 17x17. However, humanity never stops there.

Obviously there is no beginner's build scheme for this cube. The process of assembling and solving a puzzle can take years. Recently, interest in the cube has been growing not only in Asia and Europe, but also where the toy was not very popular, for example, in the USA. One of the fans of the Rubik's cube filmed the assembly of the 17 by 17 puzzle. The total length of the video is 7.5 hours, the shooting was carried out during the week.

Growing demand creates supply. Sometimes the models sold are incredible and it is not always clear how they will look when assembled. Each country has its own favorite varieties of toys.

What is speedcubing?

The fans of the game arrange real competitions in the speed of the cube assembly. There are special "speed" puzzles on sale. The mechanism of rotation of such Rubik's cubes is very high-quality, and rotations of faces and rows can be done with the movement of one finger.

The World Cube Association (WCA) is a non-profit organization supporting the speed cube movement. The WCA regularly hosts competitions around the world. There are representatives of the organization in almost all countries. Anyone can become a participant in the speedcubing event, you just need to register on the website and meet the assembly standards. The most popular discipline in such competitions is the high-speed 3x3 Rubik's cube. The standard for participation is 3 minutes, but even if a person cannot solve the problem in the allotted time, he will still be admitted to the event. You can sign up for any discipline, but you need to come with your own puzzle.

The record for the 3x3 Rubik's cube assembly belongs to the Sub1 robot, created by engineer Albert Bier. The machine is able to solve a puzzle in a split second, while it takes a human 4.7 seconds (Mats Valk's achievement in 2016). As you can see, the participants in the speedcubing movement have someone to look up to.

What are the algorithms for solving the 3x3 Rubik's Cube?

There are many ways to solve the famous puzzle. Variants of 3x3 Rubik's cube assembly schemes have been developed for both beginners and advanced people with complicated schemes: 4x4, 6x6 and even 17x17.

The 3x3 puzzle variation is considered a favorite classic by most fans. Therefore, there are much more instructions on how to solve a 3x3 Rubik's cube than any else.

What should the puzzle look like?

You can assemble a toy according to the scheme only from a previously prepared position. If the patterns on the edges of the cube are located incorrectly, then it will not work out for beginners to solve it through the 3x3 Rubik's cube assembly algorithm. There is a set of such positions for different solutions.

The picture shows or just a "cross" - the starting point of the easiest way to solve the Rubik's cube 3x3. It is recommended to disassemble and fold the toy correctly.

Designations of schemes and methods of cube rotation

Before proceeding with the disassembly of the 3x3 Rubik's cube formulas, it is worth learning the notation used in speedcubing. All puzzle movements are indicated by capital letters. The absence of an apostrophe above the symbol means that the rotation is clockwise, if there is a sign, then it should be rotated in the opposite direction.

The first letters of English (or Russian) words denoting movement are considered generally accepted:

• front - F or Ф - rotation of the front side;
• back - B or T - back side rotation;
• left - L or L - rotation of the left row;
• right - R or P - rotation of the right row;
• up - U or B - rotation of the top row;
• down -D or H - rotation of the bottom row.

Pointers can also be used to change the position of the cube in space - the movement of the interception. Here, too, everything is simple, from the school geometry course everyone knows the coordinate axes X, Y and Z. Movement X means that the cube must be turned by face F in place of face U, when shifting Y - F, it must be in place L, and when rotating Z - F moves to R.

The following group of designations is rarely used, it is used in drawing up patterns of patterns:

• M - turn the middle row, between right (R / P) and left (L / L);
• S - turn the middle row, between the front (F / F) and back (B / T);
• E - turn of the middle row, between the top (U / B) and the bottom (D / H).

Why do they collect patterns on the edges of the cube?

At speedcubing meetings, they compete not only in solving the puzzle, but also in the ability to make various patterns on a 3x3 Rubik's cube. They do this in order to quickly and easily collect the cube in the desired position.

There are a huge number of schemes for assembling a variety of patterns: "points", "chess", "points with chess", "zigzag", "meson", "cube in a cube in a cube" and many others. There are more than 46 of them for the classic puzzle alone. Masters of speedcubing consider it shameful to disassemble a toy. Also 3x3 Rubik's Cube patterns is a great way to train and improve your skills.

The figure shows variations of the different patterns of the puzzle. Below are a few more formulas for assembling the most interesting patterns from the cross position:

• chess - M 2 E 2 S 2;
• zigzag - (PLFT) 3;
• four z - (PLFT) 3 B 2 H 2;
• Plummer's cross - TF 2 N "P 2 FNT" FN "VF" N "L 2 FN 2 V";
• cube in a cube in a cube - V "L 2 F 2 N" L "NV 2 PV" P "V 2 P 2 PF" L "VP".

Algorithm for solving Rubik's cube 3x3 for beginners

Although there are many ways to solve the puzzle, simple and straightforward schemes for beginners are not easy to find. With each passing stage of the assembly, the 3x3 Rubik's cube formulas become more complicated. It is necessary not only to correctly change the pattern, but also to save what was done before. Below is one of the options for how easy it is to solve the Rubik's cube 3x3.

Conventionally, the whole process can be divided into the following stages:

1. Assembling the cross at the top of the cube.
2. Correct compilation of the entire top edge.
3. Work on the middle layers.
4. Correct assembly of the ribs of the last row.
5. Assembling the bottom face cross.
6. Correct orientation of the corners of the last face of the cube.

Puzzle solution - preparation work

The first stage is the easiest. Beginners can try their hand at drawing up cube patterns according to the instructions provided, but this process will take a long time.

You need to choose the top edge and the color that will be collected first. The 3x3 Rubik's cube solving algorithm for beginners is developed from the "cross" position. It is not difficult to make it, you need to choose a central color, find 4 edge elements of the same shade and raise them to the selected face. The colored arrow in the picture indicates the part you are looking for. The options for the location of the desired element may be different, depending on this, 2 sequences of actions A and B are described. The difficulty lies in continuing the cross along the sides of the cube. You can take a closer look at the final appearance of the stage in the image above.

Solving the puzzle - working on the middle row

At this stage of the 3x3 Rubik's cube assembly scheme for beginners, it is necessary to find and assemble the corner elements of the upper face. In the end result, the face with the cross and the top row of the puzzle must be completely solved.

The image shows three possible edge patterns. Choosing one of the methods A, B or C it is necessary to collect all 4 corners of the cube. By memorizing rotation algorithms and practicing them, skills and mastery of puzzle assembly are acquired. It is pointless to consider formulas and represent the process, it is much easier to take a cube and try all the methods in practice.

The third stage seems simple, but it is only an appearance. To solve it, two situations of patterns are described and, accordingly, two rotation formulas are drawn up. When applying them, it is worth remembering to maintain the previously achieved results. The masters constantly keep in mind the last 3-4 spins in order to return the cube to its original state in case of failure.

To solve the puzzle, you need to rotate it along the coordinate axis in search of the necessary elements and work with them. Such movements are rarely displayed in formulas, only in special cases. It is recommended to start assembling the edge faces from the elements of the lower rows, after such rotations, all the necessary cubes will go down from the middle to the lower row.

Puzzle solution - making the second cross

At the fourth stage, the toy is turned upside down. Solving the last facet is the hardest part of the 3x3 Rubik's Cube for beginners. Rotation formulas are long and complex and will require special care. The purpose of the actions is to arrange the edge elements in their places for further drawing up the cross. The orientation of the rib parts may not be correct. There is only one formula of cube movements and it should be applied until the goal of the stage is achieved.

The rotations of the fifth stage are aimed at turning the elements on the right side. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the same rotation formula is applied for all three patterns in the figure, the only difference is in the orientation of the cube itself.

The formulas for the movements of the 5th stage are as follows:

• (PS N) 4 V (PS N) 4 V "- option" A ";
• (PS N) 4 V "(PS N) 4 V - option" B ";
• (PS N) 4 V 2 (PS N) 4 V 2 - option "V".

C H is the clockwise rotation of the middle row, and the exponent above the bracket is the number of repetitions of actions in brackets.

Puzzle solution - last spins

In the sixth stage, as in the fourth, the required cubes are placed in their places, regardless of their orientation. The puzzle should be rotated so that the element, which is already in the right place, is located in the far left corner at the top of the cube. The options proposed for solving the formula mirror each other. It is necessary to repeat the rotation until the desired result is achieved.

The seventh stage is the most solemn and most difficult. When the cube rotates, violations in the already assembled rows are inevitable. You will need to fully focus on the movements, otherwise the result of the assembly may be irrevocably ruined. As in the fifth stage, there is only one sequence of movements, but it is repeated 4 times. First, rotations are performed to orient the element, then reverse - to restore the broken rows.

Do not forget about recording movements using the characters of the English alphabet. The formulas for the movements of the faces and rows of the cube of this stage are as follows:

• (RF "R" F) 2 U (RF "R" F) 2 - option "a";
• (RF "R" F) 2 U "(RF" R "F) 2 - option" b ";
• (RF "R" F) 2 U 2 (RF "R" F) 2 - option "c".

В - rotation of the upper face by 90 degrees, В "- rotation of the same face counterclockwise, and В 2 - double rotation.

The complexity of the stage is in the correct assessment of the location of the elements and the choice of the required rotation option. It can be difficult for beginners to immediately identify the pattern correctly and match it to the correct formula.

Rubik's cube and children

A tricky puzzle is interesting not only for adults, but also for children. Teenagers became world champions in solving Rubik's cube. In 2015, Colin Burns, then only 15 years old, assembled the toy in 5.2 seconds.

A simple but addicting toy continues to interest the younger generation for 5 decades already. Children's hobby often develops into a profession. There are mathematical ways to evaluate the solution to Rubik's cube problems. This section of mathematics is used in the compilation and writing of algorithms for solutions for automated computers. Robots that really look for ways to solve the cube, and do not perform a pre-hammered algorithm of movements, solve the puzzle in 3 seconds, for example, CubeStormer 3.