how to solve a rubik's cube

How to Solve a

Rubik’s Cube

Table of Contents

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………3

Notations…………………………………………………………………….………………………………………4

Step 1: Solve Cross………………………………………………………………………………………5,6,7,8

Step 2: Solve Corners………………………………………………………………………………………9,10

Step 3: Solve Row 2 Corner Pieces………………………………………………………………..11,12

Step 4: Solve Cross…………………………………………………………………………………………….13

Step 5: Solve Top Row Center Block…………………………………………………………………..14

Step 6: Solve Corners……………………………………………………………………………….……15,16

Introduction

he infamous Rubik’s Cube has been puzzling the minds of millions

since its creation in 1974. The originally dubbed “Magic Cube,” was

invented by a Hungarian Sculptor and professor of architecture

Erno Rubik. The toy was licensed by Rubik, and sold by Ideal Toy

Corp in 1980, and won the German Game of the Year for the Best

Puzzle of the year. As of January 2009, 350 million cubes have

been sold worldwide.

Basic History

Objective

he goal of this instruction manual is to provide the basic tutorial

on how to properly solve the Rubik’s Cube. While you may not

solve the puzzle as quickly as Feliks Zemdegs of Australia (record

of 6.63 seconds), you will undoubtedly solve this daunting task

and have superior bragging rights over others.

WARNING

olving the Rubik’s Cube will undeniably cause stress to the individual

completing the task. This high level of stress may cause person to sweat

profusely, mutter under their breath, swear uncontrollably, and/or throw

the Cube or other foreign (possibly larger) objects across the room. Fear

not, this is all apart of the “fun” in the game.

Notations There are 6 colors represented on the Rubik’s cube (one color per face side)

Co

lum

n 1

Co

lum

n 2

Co

lum

n 3

Row 1

Row 2

Row 3

Terminology

Block: an individual “cube”/peg on the Rubik’s Cube

Rows: Horizontal (3 blocks across)

Columns: Vertical (3 blocks up & down)

Side: 3x3 blocks of the Rubik’s Cube

Sides

Front:: side “facing” you Left: face front, side to the left

Up: top side Right: face front, side to the right

Down: bottom side Back: side opposite of face

F= Front

U= Up

D= Down

L= Left

R= Right

Rotation Methods

All Done Clockwise (CW) All Done Counter-Clockwise (CCW)

Fi=Front inverted

Ui= Up inverted

Di= Down inverted

Li= Left inverted

Ri= Right inverted

Simplify Rotation Methods (if looking at cube from face side)

F: twist right-CW L: twist towards you Fi: twist left-CCW Li: twist away from you

U: twist right R: twist away from you Ui: twist left Ri: twist towards you

D: twist right Di: twist left

Step 1 Identify starting point: for simplicity sake, start on Green Side (Up Side)

DON’T KNOW HOW TO TELL WHICH SIDE IS WHICH?

—> The center block is key. This block never moves

Solve for Green Cross

The areas circled in yellow all make up the green cross.

These green pieces must be found first in order to com-

plete the rest of this side. (image 1)

1. Search for green pieces elsewhere on the Rubik’s Cu-

be. Since these pieces are all “middle” blocks they will

be in the same position (either middle block of a row or

column) on another side of the Rubik’s Cube.

In image 2, the down side is portrayed with a green

block in the right position. As noted, the red part of this

particular block is shown.

It is essential to note the other colors shown on that

particular block because these need to line up with its

colored face side as well.

The next step is shown in image 3, by rotating the

Down Side until the red blocks line up.

Last, rotate this Top Side (Red Side) clockwise twice so

the green/red block matches up with green face.

(image 4)

Step 1 Continued...

2. Locate the second green piece of the cross

This green piece is found on the Down Side of the Rubik’s Cube .

Note the white face of this block is also showing. (Image 5)

Rotate the Down side to the White face of the Rubik’s Cube.

(Image 6)

Rotate the white face side (front side) clockwise until green block

matches up with green face side (up side). (Image 7)

Image 7 also depicts our starting point for our next step in solving

our 3rd block of the green cross.

Algorithms used in this step:

Fi U Li Ui

Step 1 Continued...

3. Locate the third green piece. (Image 7/8)

Rotate Front Side counter clockwise so green block is in the Row

3. (Image 9)

Rotate Down Side right so green/yellow block is on the yellow

face side. (Image 10)

Rotate front side (yellow side) clockwise twice so green block

matches up with green face side.

When this occurs and the green/yellow block are in the right po-

sition but “inverted” (instead of green, green, yellow, yellow, we

see green, yellow, green, yellow) we must perform our first algo-

rithm. This step is repeated as many times as needed to get the

block in the right position

Here we get our desired result of our green/yellow

block in the correct orientation.

front

front Fi U Li Ui

Front inverted. Up. Left inverted. Up inverted

Step 1 Continued...

2. Locate the fourth and final cross piece (Image 12)

As shown in image 12 the last green block is located on the down

side of the Rubik’s Cube. Also, note that orange is visible , yet al-

ready on the orange face side.

Rotate Front Side (orange face side) clockwise until orange/green

block lines up with green face side.

Again, use the algorithm demonstrated on page 7

Here we have the final result of Step 1


Fi U Li Ui

Fi U Li Ui

Front inverted. Up. Left inverted. Up inverted

Note: Remember that the Rubik’s Cube

has over 43 quintillion possible combina-

tions. This in mind, your Rubik’s Cube

may not start in the same orientation as

the one generated in this manual. How-

ever, the basic rules remain:

1. line up your colored cube in the

bottom row of it’s desired location

and in the same face as the other

color shown on that particular block.

2. If block is inverted when transferring

to its proper location use the algo-

rithm shown in this step to correct.

Solve Four Corners

1. Locate first green color corner block (Image 1)

Similar to step 1, line the block in the 3rd (bottom) row under

the desired position. Pay attention to the colors on the particu-

lar block shown: the white and red faces of this block are also

showing.

Rotate Down Side clockwise so block indicated is on the white/

red corner. (Image 2)

NOTE: the white face of the block does not need to be on the

white side just like the red face of the block does not need to be

on the red side.

Let Red Face side be Front Side.

Use the Algorithm:

Repeat this algorithm as many times as needed to get the

green/red/white block up to the green face side (up side).

(Image 3)

Ri Di R D

Right inverted. Down inverted. Right. Down.

Step 2


Ri Di R D

Step 2 Continued...

2. Locate the second corner block (Image 4)

Here the red and yellow faces of the block are visible.

Rotate the Down Side clockwise so the block indicated is on the

red/yellow corner. (Again, it is okay if the colors are inverted.)

Repeat algorithm shown on page 9 (refer to bottom right corner of

page).

Image 5 shows final position for the green, yellow, red block as

well as starting position for the third corner block

3. Locate the third corner block (Image 5)

Rotate to the yellow/orange corner

Repeat algorithm

4. Locate fourth and final corner block (Image 6)

Rotate to white/orange corner

Repeat algorithm

5. Green face complete! (Image 7)

But, if done correctly, the first row of all surround sides [except down

side/blue side) and middle block will be solved as well.


Ri Di R D

Step 3

Solve Row 2 Corner Pieces

1. Look for one of the 4 pieces (highlighted in image 1) that does

not have blue in it on both top and side levels.

Image 2 shows the only block of these 4 (shown in image 1) that

does not have any blue in any of its shown faces.

2. Rotate Up Side counter clockwise so yellow face of the red/

yellow block lines up with the yellow face side . The Yellow Side is

now Front Side. (Image 3)

As noted before, the red face of this block is on the Up Side.

The goal is to move this block, so its red face is on the Red Side

of the Rubik’s Cube. (Red Side is to the Left of the Yellow Side)

To do this, use the algorithm below to move the block to the

left

Image 4 shows the red/yellow block in its correct orientation

Ui Li U L U F Ui Fi Up inverted. Left inverted. Up. Left. Up. Front. Up inverted. Front inverted


Ui Li U L U F Ui Fi

Flip Rubik’s Cube over so solved side( Green Side) is down -Blue Side up

Step 3 Continued...

1. Refer to the 4 top pieces again. (Image 5)

As shown in image 5 there is only one block that does not contain

blue.

As shown in image 6, both the orange and yellow face of this block

are visible.

2. Rotate Up Side clockwise twice so the yellow face of the block

matches up with the Yellow Side of the Rubik’s Cube. (Image 7)

From image 7, it is also noticeable that the Orange Side of the Ru-

bik’s Cube is to the right of the Yellow Side. Make Yellow Side

Front Side

3. To get this block to its yellow/orange row 2 corner the following

algorithm must be used.

Repeat these steps for the remaining 2 corner blocks. Remember

there are 2 different algorithms used to move the block to either

the right or left.

If done correctly row 2 and 3 should be completed on all 4 sides

U R Ui Ri Ui Fi U F Up. Right. Up inverted. Right inverted. Up inverted. Front inverted. Up. Front

NOTE: This algorithm to move block to the right is the opposite of how to move

a block to the left.


U R Ui R Ui Fi U F

Step 4

Solve Blue Cross

1. Once you have solved the first two layers (Row 2 and 3), you’re going to

have one of four different positions on the top Blue Side.

Option 1: center blue dot (Image 1)

Option 2: an L (Image 2)

Option 3: center line (Image 3)

Option 4: the cross (Image 4)

Note: if this is present, skip to next step

The goal is to solve this blue cross

2. Looking at this particular Rubik’s Cube, Option 3 is represented

(central line). Turn it so the line is horizontal. Let Red Side be Front Side,

Blue Side be Up Side. (Image 4)

3. Use the algorithm to complete this step:

F R U Ri Ui Fi

Front. Right. Up. Right Inverted. Up Inverted. Front Inverted.

If Option 1 and 2 are present, repeat this step


F R U Ri Ui Fi

Step 5

Note the other colors visible on these four cross pieces.

(Images 1 & 2)

1. Rotate Up Side — at least two of these color blocks will

match up with their coordinating color sides

(Images 3 & 4)

2. For this manual, all sides lined up, but if this is not the

case hold the cube so one of the matched up sides is

directly opposite from you (Back Side) and the other is

in your right hand.

Use the algorithm:

One final twist of the Up Side should line up all these

top centered-blocks with their appropriate color sides

Sometimes, the two sides that line up are opposite one

another. When this occurs hold the cube so one is in

the Front Face and the other is in the Back Face and do

the algorithm shown above and repeat.

As a result, the center block of Row 1 on all four faces

(Front, Back, Right, Left) should be lined up with their

matching face colors

Solve for Top Row , Center Block

R U Ri U R U U Ri

Right. Up. Right Inverted. Up. Right. Up. Up. Right Inverted.


R U Ri U R U U Ri

Step 6

Solve for Corner Pieces

Look at 4 corners and find one that is in the correct loca-

tion. (Image 1)

NOTE: the white face of the block does not need to be on the white

side just like the red face of the block does not need to be on the

red side.

Use the algorithm to get the four corner pieces in the ap-

propriate location. (Let Blue Side be Up Side)

Should not have to repeat this step more than twice.

Images 2-5 show the finished product of this step

U R Ui Li U Ri Ui L

Up. Right. Up Inverted. Left Inverted. Up. Right Inverted. Up Inverted. Left.


U R Ui Li U Ri Ui L

Solve Four Corners

1. Look at the 4 corner pieces.

NOTE: In this manual the red/white/blue corner piece in already in

the correct orientation (skip down to #2 )

The corner you are solving for should be in the right corner

Use the algorithm previously shown in Step 2:

2. Once this is in the correct location, rotate ONLY the Up Side to

move the next unsolved block to the bottom right corner.

3. IT MAY APPEAR THAT YOU ARE MESSING UP EVERYTHING YOU

HAVE ALREADY DONE BUT IT WILL COME TOGETHER IN THE END.

4. When you have adjusted all 4 corners you will notice you are just

one/ two turns away from solving your first Rubik’s Cube

Twist Up Side and Celebrate with your Victory Dance

Ri Di R D

Right inverted. Down inverted. Right. Down.

(Repeat as many times as needed)

Step 1 Continued...

how to solve a rubik's cube

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