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How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube in 7 Easy Steps
Have you ever wondered how to solve a Rubik’s cube, one of the most popular and challenging puzzles in the world? If you have, you are not alone. Millions of people have tried to solve this colorful cube, but only a few have succeeded. In this article, you will learn how to solve a Rubik’s cube in 7 easy steps, using simple and clear instructions, diagrams, and algorithms. By following this guide, you will be able to impress your friends and family with your amazing cubing skills.
Introduction
What is a Rubik’s cube and why is it popular?
A Rubik’s cube is a 3D puzzle that consists of six faces, each divided into nine smaller squares of one of six colors: white, yellow, red, blue, green, and orange. The goal of the puzzle is to twist and turn the faces of the cube until each face has only one color. The cube was invented in 1974 by Erno Rubik, a Hungarian professor of architecture and design. He wanted to create a toy that would demonstrate three-dimensional geometry and challenge spatial thinking. He did not expect that his invention would become one of the best-selling toys of all time, with over 350 million cubes sold worldwide.
What are the benefits of solving a Rubik’s cube?
Solving a Rubik’s cube is not only fun and satisfying, but also beneficial for your brain and mental health. Some of the benefits of solving a Rubik’s cube are:
- It improves your memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills.
- It enhances your creativity, logic, and spatial awareness.
- It reduces stress, anxiety, and boredom.
- It boosts your confidence, self-esteem, and perseverance.
- It fosters your curiosity, learning, and curiosity.
What do you need to know before you start?
Before you start solving a Rubik’s cube, you need to know some basic terms and concepts that will help you understand the instructions better. Here are some of them:
- A face is one of the six sides of the cube.
- A center is one of the six middle squares on each face. The centers do not move and their colors determine the color of each face.
- An edge is one of the twelve squares that are between two centers. Each edge has two colors.
- A corner is one of the eight squares that are between three centers. Each corner has three colors.
- A layer is a group of nine squares that can be rotated together. There are three layers: the top layer, the middle layer, and the bottom layer.
- A notation is a way of describing the movements of the cube using letters and symbols. For example, R means to turn the right face clockwise, U’ means to turn the top face counterclockwise, and F2 means to turn the front face twice.
- An algorithm is a sequence of notations that performs a specific action on the cube. For example, R U R’ U’ is an algorithm that swaps two edge pieces on the top layer.
Now that you know the basics, you are ready to start solving the cube. Let’s begin with the first step.
Step 1: Make a white cross on the top layer
How to find and place the white edge pieces
The first step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to make a white cross on the top layer. To do this, you need to find and place the four white edge pieces on the top face, so that they match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, if you have a white and red edge piece, you need to put it on the top face between the white and red centers.
To find and place the white edge pieces, you can use the following method:
- Look for a white edge piece on any face of the cube.
- If it is on the bottom layer, turn the bottom face until it is below its matching center color. For example, if it is a white and green edge piece, turn the bottom face until it is below the green center.
- Then, rotate the bottom layer 90 degrees so that the white edge piece moves to the front face.
- Finally, turn the front face twice to bring the white edge piece to the top face.
- If it is on the middle layer, turn the middle layer until it is on the front face.
- Then, use one of these two algorithms to move it to the top face:
- If the white color is facing you, use F U R U’ R’ F’.
- If the white color is facing right, use R U F’ U’ F R’.
- If it is already on the top layer, but not in its correct position, turn the top face until it is above its matching center color.
- Then, use one of these two algorithms to move it to its correct position:
- If it is on the right side of its matching center color, use F R U R’ U’ F’.
- If it is on the left side of its matching center color, use F’ L’ U’ L U F.
Repeat this method for all four white edge pieces until you have a white cross on the top face.
How to fix the white edges if they are flipped or misplaced
Sometimes, you may encounter a situation where one or more of your white edge pieces are flipped or misplaced. This means that they are on the top face, but their colors do not match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, you may have a white and blue edge piece on the top face, but it is between the white and green centers.
To fix this problem, you need to use one of these two algorithms to flip or swap the white edge pieces:
- If you have one flipped white edge piece, use F R U R’ U’ F’ U F R U R’ U’ F’.
- If you have two swapped white edge pieces, use R U R’ U R U2 R’ U.
After applying these algorithms, you should have a white cross on the top face with all the white edge pieces in their correct positions.
Step 2: Solve the white corners on the top layer
How to find and place the white corner pieces
The next step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to solve the white corners on the top layer. To do this, you need to find and place the four white corner pieces on the top face, so that they match with the edge colors of the adjacent faces. For example, if you have a white, red, and blue corner piece, you need to put it on the top face between the white, red, and blue edges.
To find and place the white corner pieces, you can use the following method:
- Look for a white corner piece on any face of the cube.
- If it is on the bottom layer, turn the bottom face until it is below its correct position on the top face. For example, if it is a white, red, and blue corner piece, turn the bottom face until it is below the white, red, and blue edges.
- Then, use one of these three algorithms to move it to the top face:
- If the white color is facing down, use R’ D’ R D.
- If the white color is facing front, use D’ R’ D R.
- If the white color is facing right, use D R’ D’ R.
- If it is already on the top layer, but not in its correct position or orientation, turn the top face until it is above an empty spot on the bottom layer.
- Then, use one of these three algorithms to move it to the bottom layer:
- If the white color is facing up, use R’ D’ R D.
- If the white color is facing front, use F D F’ D’.
- If the white color is facing left, use L D L’ D’.
- Then, repeat steps 2 and 3 to place it in its correct position on the top face.
Repeat this method for all four white corner pieces until you have a complete white face on the top layer.
How to use algorithms to orient the white corners
Sometimes, you may encounter a situation where one or more of your white corner pieces are in their correct positions on the top layer, but their colors do not match with the edge colors of the adjacent faces. For example, you may have a white, red, and blue corner piece on the top face, but it is between the white, green, and orange edges.
To fix this problem, you need to use one of these two algorithms to rotate the white corner pieces:
- If you have one misoriented white corner piece, use R’ D’ R D R’ D’ R D.
- If you have two misoriented white corner pieces, use R’ D’ R D R’ D’ R D U R’ D’ R D R’ D’ R D U’.
After applying these algorithms, you should have a complete white face on the top layer with all the white corner pieces in their correct orientations.
Step 3: Solve the middle layer edges
How to find and place the middle layer edge pieces
The third step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to solve the middle layer edges. To do this, you need to find and place the four middle layer edge pieces on the middle layer, so that they match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, if you have a red and blue edge piece, you need to put it on the middle layer between the red and blue centers.
To find and place the middle layer edge pieces, you can use the following method:
- Look for a middle layer edge piece on the bottom face that does not have yellow color.
- If you find one, turn the bottom face until it is below its correct position on the middle layer. For example, if it is a red and blue edge piece, turn the bottom face until it is below the red and blue centers.
- Then, use one of these two algorithms to move it to the middle layer:
- If it needs to go to the right, use U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F.
- If it needs to go to the left, use U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’.
- If you cannot find any middle layer edge piece on the bottom face that does not have yellow color, it means that they are already on the middle layer, but not in their correct positions or orientations.
- In that case, you need to use one of these two algorithms to move one of them to the bottom face:
- If it is on the right side of its matching center color, use U R U’ R’ U’ F’ U F.
- If it is on the left side of its matching center color, use U’ L’ U L U F U’ F’.
- Then, repeat steps 1 and 2 to place it in its correct position on the middle layer.
Repeat this method for all four middle layer edge pieces until you have a complete middle layer.
How to use algorithms to move the middle layer edges
Sometimes, you may encounter a situation where one or more of your middle layer edge pieces are in their correct positions on the middle layer, but their colors do not match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, you may have a red and blue edge piece on the middle layer, but it is between the green and orange centers.
To fix this problem, you need to use one of these two algorithms to swap the middle layer edge pieces:
- If you have two adjacent swapped middle layer edge pieces, use R U2 R’ U’ F R’ F’ R U’ R U2 R’.
- If you have two opposite swapped middle layer edge pieces, use R U2 R’ U’ F R’ F’ R U’ R U2 R’ U2 F R F’.
After applying these algorithms, you should have a complete middle layer with all the middle layer edge pieces in their correct positions and orientations.
Step 4: Make a yellow cross on the bottom layer
How to find and place the yellow edge pieces
The fourth step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to make a yellow cross on the bottom layer. To do this, you need to find and place the four yellow edge pieces on the bottom face, so that they form a cross shape. For example, if you have a yellow and red edge piece, you need to put it on the bottom face between the yellow and red centers.
To find and place the yellow edge pieces, you can use the following method:
- Look at the bottom face and see how many yellow edge pieces are already in their correct positions. There are four possible cases:
- If you have no yellow edge pieces on the bottom face, use F R U R’ U’ F’.
- If you have one yellow edge piece on the bottom face, turn the bottom face until it is on the front face. Then, use one of these two algorithms:
- If it is horizontal, use F R U R’ U’ F’.
- If it is vertical, use F U R U’ R’ F’.
- If you have two yellow edge pieces on the bottom face, turn the bottom face until they form a line on the front and back faces. Then, use one of these two algorithms:
- If they are opposite to each other, use F R U R’ U’ F’.
- If they are adjacent to each other, use F U R U’ R’ F’.
- If you have four yellow edge pieces on the bottom face, you have already made a yellow cross. Skip to the next step.
- Repeat step 1 until you have four yellow edge pieces on the bottom face forming a cross shape.
How to use algorithms to form a yellow cross
Sometimes, you may encounter a situation where one or more of your yellow edge pieces are flipped or misplaced. This means that they are on the bottom face, but their colors do not match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, you may have a yellow and blue edge piece on the bottom face, but it is between the yellow and red centers.
To fix this problem, you need to use one of these two algorithms to flip or swap the yellow edge pieces:
- If you have one flipped yellow edge piece, use R U R’ U R U2 R’ U.
- If you have two swapped yellow edge pieces, use M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2.
After applying these algorithms, you should have a yellow cross on the bottom face with all the yellow edge pieces in their correct positions and orientations.
Step 5: Orient the yellow corners on the bottom layer
How to find and place the yellow corner pieces
The fifth step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to orient the yellow corners on the bottom layer. To do this, you need to find and place the four yellow corner pieces on the bottom face, so that they have yellow color facing up. For example, if you have a yellow, red, and blue corner piece, you need to put it on the bottom face with the yellow color facing up.
To find and place the yellow corner pieces, you can use the following method:
- Look at the bottom face and see how many yellow corner pieces are already in their correct orientations. There are four possible cases:
- If you have no yellow corner pieces with yellow color facing up, use R U R’ U R U2 R’ U.
- If you have one yellow corner piece with yellow color facing up, turn the bottom face until it is on the front right position. Then, use R U R’ U R U2 R’ U.
- If you have two yellow corner pieces with yellow color facing up, turn the bottom face until they are on the front right and back left positions. Then, use one of these two algorithms:
- If they are diagonal to each other, use R U R’ U R U2 R’ U.
- If they are adjacent to each other, use F R U R’ U’ F’.
- If you have four yellow corner pieces with yellow color facing up, you have already oriented the yellow corners. Skip to the next step.
- Repeat step 1 until you have four yellow corner pieces with yellow color facing up on the bottom face.
How to use algorithms to rotate the yellow corners
Sometimes, you may encounter a situation where one or more of your yellow corner pieces are in their correct positions on the bottom layer, but their colors do not match with the edge colors of the adjacent faces. For example, you may have a yellow, red, and blue corner piece on the bottom face, but it is between the yellow, green, and orange edges.
To fix this problem, you need to use one of these two algorithms to swap the yellow corner pieces:
- If you have two adjacent swapped yellow corner pieces, use R’ F R’ B2 R F’ R’ B2 R2.
- If you have two opposite swapped yellow corner pieces, use R2 U’ R’ U’ R U R U R2.
After applying these algorithms, you should have four yellow corner pieces in their correct positions and orientations on the bottom face.
Step 6: Permute the yellow corners on the bottom layer
How to swap the yellow corner pieces
The sixth step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to permute the yellow corners on the bottom layer. To do this, you need to swap the four yellow corner pieces on the bottom face, so that they match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, if you have a yellow, red, and blue corner piece, you need to put it on the bottom face between the yellow, red, and blue centers.
To swap the yellow corner pieces, you can use the following method:
- Look at the bottom face and see if any of the yellow corner pieces are already in their correct positions. If none of them are, skip to step 3.
- If one or more of them are, turn the bottom face until one of them is on the front right position. Then, use one of these two algorithms:
- If it is in its correct position and orientation, use U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L.
- If it is in its correct position but not orientation, use U’ L’ U R U’ L U R’.
- Repeat step 2 until all four yellow corner pieces are in their correct positions on the bottom face.
How to use algorithms to permute the yellow corners
Sometimes, you may encounter a situation where one or more of your yellow corner pieces are in their correct positions on the bottom layer, but their colors do not match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, you may have a yellow, red, and blue corner piece on the bottom face, but it is between the yellow, green, and orange centers.
To fix this problem, you need to use one of these two algorithms to rotate the yellow corner pieces:
- If you have one misoriented yellow corner piece, use R’ D’ R D R’ D’ R D.
- If you have two misoriented yellow corner pieces, use R U R’ U R U2 R’ U.
After applying these algorithms, you should have four yellow corner pieces in their correct positions and orientations on the bottom face.
Step 7: Permute the yellow edges on the bottom layer
How to swap the yellow edge pieces
The seventh and final step to solve a Rubik’s cube is to permute the yellow edges on the bottom layer. To do this, you need to swap the four yellow edge pieces on the bottom face, so that they match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, if you have a yellow and red edge piece, you need to put it on the bottom face between the yellow and red centers.
To swap the yellow edge pieces, you can use the following method:
- Look at the bottom face and see if any of the yellow edge pieces are already in their correct positions. If none of them are, skip to step 3.
- If one or more of them are, turn the bottom face until one of them is on the front face. Then, use one of these two algorithms:
- If it is in its correct position and orientation, use R U R’ U R U2 R’ U.
- If it is in its correct position but not orientation, use M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2.
- Repeat step 2 until all four yellow edge pieces are in their correct positions on the bottom face.
How to use algorithms to permute the yellow edges
Sometimes, you may encounter a situation where one or more of your yellow edge pieces are in their correct positions on the bottom layer, but their colors do not match with the center colors of the adjacent faces. For example, you may have a yellow and blue edge piece on the bottom face, but it is between the yellow and green centers.
To fix this problem, you need to use one of these two algorithms to rotate the yellow edge pieces:
- If you have one misoriented yellow edge piece, use R U R’ U R U2 R’ U.
- If you have two misoriented yellow edge pieces, use M2 U M2 U2 M2 U M2.
After applying these algorithms, you should have four yellow edge pieces in their correct positions and orientations on the bottom face.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points and tips
Congratulations! You have just learned how to solve a Rubik’s cube in 7 easy steps. Here is a summary of the main points and tips that you should remember:
- The first step is to make a white cross on the top layer, matching the white edge pieces with the center colors of the adjacent faces.
- The second step is to solve the white corners on the top layer, matching the white corner pieces with the edge colors of the adjacent faces.
- The third step is to solve the middle layer edges, matching the middle layer edge pieces with the center colors of the adjacent faces.
- The fourth step is to make a yellow cross on the bottom layer, placing the yellow edge pieces on the bottom face.
- The fifth step is to orient the yellow corners on the bottom layer, placing the yellow corner pieces on the bottom face with yellow color facing up.
- The sixth step is to permute the yellow corners on the bottom layer, swapping the yellow corner pieces on the bottom face to match with the center colors of the adjacent faces.
- The seventh and final step is to permute the yellow edges on the bottom layer, swapping the yellow edge pieces on the bottom face to match with the center colors of the adjacent faces.
- To move and manipulate the cube, you need to use notations and algorithms that describe the movements of each face and layer.
- To solve each step, you need to use a method that involves finding and placing the pieces in their correct positions and orientations.
- To fix any problems or errors, you need to use algorithms that flip, swap, or rotate the pieces as needed.
Call to action and encouragement
Now that you know how to solve a Rubik’s cube in 7 easy steps, you can practice and improve your skills by solving more cubes. You can also challenge yourself by trying different methods, variations, and puzzles. Solving a Rubik’s cube is a great way to exercise your brain, have fun, and impress your friends. So what are you waiting for? Grab your cube and start cubing!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about solving a Rubik’s cube:
- How long does it take to solve a Rubik’s cube?
- How many moves does it take to solve a Rubik’s cube?
- How many possible combinations are there for a Rubik’s cube?
- What is the best method to solve a Rubik’s cube?
- Where can I learn more about solving a Rubik’s cube?
- Official Rubik’s website: https://www.rubiks.com/en-us/how-to-solve-rubiks-cube
- RuWix website: https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/
- CubeSkills website: https://www.cubeskills.com/
- YouTube channels: J Perm, CubeHead, BrodyTheCuber, etc.
- Books: Speedsolving the Cube by Dan Harris, How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube by James G. Nourse, etc.
The answer depends on your skill level, method, and speed. Some people can solve a Rubik’s cube in less than 10 seconds, while others may take several minutes or hours. The average time for beginners is around 2 minutes. The world record for solving a Rubik’s cube is 3.47 seconds, set by Yusheng Du in 2018.
The answer depends on your method and efficiency. Some methods may require more moves than others. The minimum number of moves needed to solve any Rubik’s cube is 20, which is known as God’s number. However, this number is very hard to achieve in practice. The average number of moves for beginners is around 100.
The answer is a very large number: 43 quintillion. That means there are 43 followed by 18 zeros possible ways to arrange the squares on the cube. This means that there are more possible combinations for a Rubik’s cube than there are atoms in the observable universe.
The answer depends on your preference, goal, and experience. There is no single best method to solve a Rubik’s cube, as different methods have different advantages and disadvantages. Some methods are easier to learn, while others are faster to execute. Some methods are more intuitive, while others are more algorithmic. Some of the most popular methods are the beginner’s method, the CFOP method, the Roux method, and the ZZ method.
There are many resources available online and offline that can help you learn more about solving a Rubik’s cube. Some of them are:
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and happy cubing!
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