How to Solve a Rubik's Cube in 7 Easy Steps
Have you ever wondered how some people can solve a Rubik's Cube in seconds? Do you want to learn how to do it yourself and impress your friends and family? If so, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll show you how to solve a Rubik's Cube in 7 easy steps, using simple algorithms and techniques that anyone can learn. You don't need any prior experience or knowledge, just a Rubik's Cube and some patience. By the end of this article, you'll be able to solve any scrambled cube in minutes or even faster.
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Introduction
What is a Rubik's Cube and why is it so 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, green, blue, and orange. The goal is to twist and turn the cube until each face has only one color. The cube can be rotated in any direction, and there are billions of possible combinations, but only one solution.
The Rubik's Cube was invented in 1974 by Erno Rubik, a Hungarian professor of architecture and design. He wanted to create a toy that would challenge his students and stimulate their creativity and problem-solving skills. He didn't expect that his invention would become one of the most popular and best-selling toys of all time, with over 350 million cubes sold worldwide.
The Rubik's Cube is not only fun and addictive, but also educational and beneficial for your brain. Solving a Rubik's Cube can improve your memory, concentration, spatial awareness, logic, and mental agility. It can also boost your confidence, self-esteem, and satisfaction. Plus, it's a great way to relax, have fun, and challenge yourself.
How to use this article to learn how to solve a Rubik's Cube
In this article, we'll teach you how to solve a Rubik's Cube using the beginner's method, which is the easiest and most common way to learn. The beginner's method involves solving the cube layer by layer, starting from the bottom and moving up. There are seven steps in this method, each of which requires a specific algorithm or sequence of moves to complete. Don't worry, you don't need to memorize all the algorithms at once. We'll explain each step in detail, with clear instructions, diagrams, and examples. You can also watch this video tutorial for a visual demonstration of the method.
Before you start, make sure you have a Rubik's Cube that is in good condition and works smoothly. You can buy one online or at any toy store. You can also use an online simulator or an app on your phone or tablet to practice. However, we recommend using a real cube for the best experience and results.
Now that you're ready, let's begin with the first step: choosing a color to start with.
Step 1: Choose a color to start with
How to identify the center pieces and the edge pieces
The first thing you need to know is how to identify the different types of pieces on the cube. There are three types of pieces: center pieces, edge pieces, and corner pieces. In this step, we'll focus on the center pieces and the edge pieces.
The center pieces are the ones that have only one color and are located in the middle of each face. There are six center pieces, one for each color. The center pieces never move, so they determine the color of each face. For example, the face that has a white center piece is always the white face, no matter how you twist the cube.
The edge pieces are the ones that have two colors and are located between two center pieces. There are 12 edge pieces, two for each color pair. For example, there are two edge pieces that have white and red, one on each side of the white-red center line.
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How to make a cross on the first layer
The first step is to make a cross on one face of the cube, using four edge pieces that match the color of the center piece. You can choose any color to start with, but we recommend choosing white, as it's easier to see and follow. We'll call this face the bottom face, and the opposite face the top face.
To make a white cross, you need to find the four edge pieces that have white and another color: white-red, white-green, white-blue, and white-orange. Then, you need to move them to the bottom face, so that they form a plus sign around the white center piece. The other color of each edge piece should match the color of the adjacent center piece. For example, the white-red edge piece should be next to the red center piece.
To move an edge piece to the bottom face, you may need to rotate the cube or use some simple moves. Here are some tips to help you:
If the edge piece is on the top face, you can simply turn the top layer until it is above its correct position, and then bring it down by turning the front face twice.
If the edge piece is on the middle layer, you can move it to the top face by turning either the left or right face twice, depending on which side it is on. Then, you can follow the previous tip.
If the edge piece is on the bottom face but in the wrong position or orientation, you can move it to the top face by turning either the front or back face twice, depending on which side it is on. Then, you can follow the first tip.
Here is an example of how to make a white cross:
When you have made a white cross on the bottom face, you can move on to the next step: completing the first layer. Step 2: Complete the first layer
How to find and insert the corner pieces
The second step is to complete the first layer by inserting the four corner pieces that have white and two other colors. You can find these pieces on the top face or on the middle layer. Each corner piece belongs to a specific position on the bottom face, depending on its colors. For example, the white-red-blue corner piece should be in the bottom right corner of the red-blue center line.
To insert a corner piece to the bottom face, you need to use a simple algorithm that moves the piece from the top face to the bottom face, without affecting the cross you already made. The algorithm is: R' D' R D, where R means turning the right face clockwise, R' means turning it counterclockwise, D means turning the bottom face clockwise, and D' means turning it counterclockwise. You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until the corner piece is in the right position and orientation.
Here are some tips to help you:
If the corner piece is on the top face, you can turn the top layer until it is above its correct position, and then perform the algorithm.
If the corner piece is on the middle layer, you can move it to the top face by turning either the front or back face clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on which side it is on. Then, you can follow the previous tip.
If the corner piece is on the bottom face but in the wrong position or orientation, you can move it to the top face by performing the algorithm once or twice. Then, you can follow the first tip.
Here is an example of how to complete the first layer:
When you have completed the first layer, you can move on to the next step: solving the second layer. Step 3: Solve the second layer
How to use the F2L algorithm to pair and insert the edge pieces
The third step is to solve the second layer by inserting the four edge pieces that have no white color. You can find these pieces on the top face or on the middle layer. Each edge piece belongs to a specific position on the middle layer, depending on its colors. For example, the red-blue edge piece should be between the red and blue center pieces.
To insert an edge piece to the middle layer, you need to use a special algorithm that pairs the edge piece with the corresponding corner piece on the first layer, and then moves them together to the middle layer, without affecting the first layer. The algorithm is: U R U' R' U' F' U F, where U means turning the top face clockwise, U' means turning it counterclockwise, F means turning the front face clockwise, and F' means turning it counterclockwise. You may need to perform this algorithm from either the right or the left side, depending on which side the edge piece is on.
Here are some tips to help you:
If the edge piece is on the top face, you can turn the top layer until it is above its correct position, and then perform the algorithm from either the right or the left side, depending on which side matches the color of the front center piece.
If the edge piece is on the middle layer but in the wrong position or orientation, you can move it to the top face by performing the algorithm once from either side. Then, you can follow the previous tip.
If there is no edge piece on the top face that belongs to the middle layer, you can move any edge piece from the middle layer to the top face by performing the algorithm once from either side. Then, you can follow the first tip.
Here is an example of how to solve the second layer:
When you have solved the second layer, you can move on to the next step: making a yellow cross on the top layer. Step 4: Make a yellow cross on the top layer
How to use the F R U R' U' F' algorithm to make a yellow cross
The fourth step is to make a yellow cross on the top face, using four edge pieces that have yellow and another color. You can find these pieces on the top face or on the middle layer. To make a yellow cross, you need to use a simple algorithm that flips and rotates the yellow edge pieces, without affecting the first and second layers. The algorithm is: F R U R' U' F', where F means turning the front face clockwise, F' means turning it counterclockwise, R means turning the right face clockwise, R' means turning it counterclockwise, U means turning the top face clockwise, and U' means turning it counterclockwise. You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until you have a yellow cross on the top face.
Here are some tips to help you:
If you have no yellow edge pieces on the top face, you can perform the algorithm once from any position.
If you have one yellow edge piece on the top face, you can turn the top layer until it is in the front position, and then perform the algorithm once.
If you have two yellow edge pieces on the top face, you can turn the top layer until they form a horizontal line or a vertical line. If they form a horizontal line, you can perform the algorithm once from any position. If they form a vertical line, you can perform the algorithm once from the front or back position.
Here is an example of how to make a yellow cross on the top layer:
When you have made a yellow cross on the top face, you can move on to the next step: orienting the yellow corners.
How to deal with different cases of yellow edges
Sometimes, after making a yellow cross on the top face, you may notice that some or all of the yellow edge pieces are not aligned with their corresponding center pieces. For example, the yellow-red edge piece may be between the yellow and green center pieces. This means that you need to permute or swap the yellow edge pieces to match their colors with the center pieces. However, before doing that, you need to check if there is a specific case of yellow edges that can be solved more easily.
There are four possible cases of yellow edges that you may encounter after making a yellow cross:
The solved case: All four yellow edge pieces are aligned with their corresponding center pieces. This is the ideal case, and it means that you can skip this step and move on to the next one.
The adjacent swap case: Two adjacent yellow edge pieces are aligned with their corresponding center pieces, and two adjacent yellow edge pieces are not. This case can be solved by performing a simple algorithm that swaps two adjacent edge pieces. The algorithm is: R U R' U R U2 R' U, where R means turning the right face clockwise, R' means turning it counterclockwise, U means turning the top face clockwise, and U' means turning it counterclockwise. You need to perform this algorithm from the front position, where the two aligned edge pieces are on your left and right sides.
The opposite swap case: Two opposite yellow edge pieces are aligned with their corresponding center pieces, and two opposite yellow edge pieces are not. This case can be solved by performing a simple algorithm that swaps two opposite edge pieces. The algorithm is: R2 U2 R U2 R2, where R means turning the right face clockwise, R2 means turning it twice, and U2 means turning the top face twice. You need to perform this algorithm from any position.
The diagonal swap case: No yellow edge piece is aligned with its corresponding center piece. This case can be solved by performing two algorithms in sequence: one for swapping two adjacent edge pieces, and one for swapping two opposite edge pieces. You need to perform both algorithms from any position.
Here are some examples of how to deal with different cases of yellow edges:
When you have aligned all the yellow edge pieces with their corresponding center pieces, you can move on to the next step: orienting the yellow corners.
Step 5: Orient the yellow corners
How to use the R U R' U R U2 R' algorithm to orient the yellow corners
The fifth step is to orient the four yellow corner pieces on the top face, so that they have yellow on the top. You can find these pieces on the top face or on the middle layer. To orient a yellow corner piece, you need to use a simple algorithm that rotates the corner piece clockwise or counterclockwise, without affecting the first and second layers. The algorithm is: R U R' U R U2 R', where R means turning the right face clockwise, R' means turning it counterclockwise, U means turning the top face clockwise, U' means turning it counterclockwise, and U2 means turning the top face twice. You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until the corner piece is oriented correctly.
Here are some tips to help you:
If you have no yellow corner pieces on the top face, you can perform the algorithm once from any position.
If you have one yellow corner piece on the top face, you can turn the top layer until it is in the front right position, and then perform the algorithm once or twice, depending on which direction it needs to rotate.
If you have two yellow corner pieces on the top face, you can turn the top layer until they are in the front right and back right positions, and then perform the algorithm once or twice from either position, depending on which direction they need to rotate.
If you have three yellow corner pieces on the top face, you can turn the top layer until they are in the front right, back right, and back left positions, and then perform the algorithm once or twice from either position, depending on which direction they need to rotate.
If you have four yellow corner pieces on the top face, you can skip this step and move on to the next one.
Here is an example of how to orient the yellow corners:
When you have oriented all the yellow corner pieces on the top face, you can move on to the next step: permuting the yellow corners.
How to deal with different cases of yellow corners
Sometimes, after orienting all the yellow corner pieces on the top face, you may notice that some or all of them are not in their correct positions. For example, the yellow-red-blue corner piece may be in the front left position instead of the front right position. This means that you need to permute or swap the yellow corner pieces to match their colors with the edge pieces. However, before doing that, you need to check if there is a specific case of yellow corners that can be solved more easily.
There are four possible cases of yellow corners that you may encounter after orienting them:
The solved case: All four yellow corner pieces are in their correct positions. This is the ideal case, and it means that you can skip this step and move on to the next one.
The adjacent swap case: Two adjacent yellow corner pieces are in their correct positions, and two adjacent yellow corner pieces are not. This case can be solved by performing a simple algorithm that swaps two adjacent corner pieces. The algorithm is: L' U R U' L U R' U', where L means turning the left face clockwise, L' means turning it counterclockwise, R means turning the right face clockwise, R' means turning it counterclockwise, U means turning the top face clockwise, and U' means turning it counterclockwise. You need to perform this algorithm from the front position, where the two correct corner pieces are on your left and right sides.
The opposite swap case: Two opposite yellow corner pieces are in their correct positions, and two opposite yellow corner pieces are not. This case can be solved by performing a simple algorithm that swaps two opposite corner pieces. The algorithm is: R' F R' B2 R F' R' B2 R2, where R means turning the right face clockwise, R' means turning it counterclockwise, F means turning the front face clockwise, F' means turning it counterclockwise, B means turning the back face clockwise, B2 means turning it twice. You need to perform this algorithm from any position.
The diagonal swap case: No yellow corner piece is in its correct position. This case can be solved by performing two algorithms in sequence: one for swapping two adjacent corner pieces, and one for swapping two opposite corner pieces. You need to perform both algorithms from any position.
Here are some examples of how to deal with different cases of yellow corners:
When you have permuted all the yellow corner pieces to their correct positions, you can move on to the final step: permuting the yellow edges. Step 6: Permute the yellow edges
How to use the R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R' algorithm to permute the yellow edges
The final step is to permute the four yellow edge pieces on the top face, so that they match their colors with the center pieces. You can find these pieces on the top face or on the middle layer. To permute a yellow edge piece, you need to use a simple algorithm that swaps two edge pieces at a time, without affecting the first and second layers. The algorithm is: R2 U R U R' U' R' U' R' U R', where R means turning the right face clockwise, R2 means turning it twice, U means turning the top face clockwise, and U' means turning it counterclockwise. You may need to repeat this algorithm several times until all the edge pieces are in their correct positions.
Here are some tips to help you:
If you have all four yellow edge pieces in their correct positions, you can skip this step and celebrate your success.
If you have two yellow edge pieces in their correct positions, and two yellow edge pieces in their opposite positions, you can perform the algorithm once from any position.
If you have one yellow edge piece in its correct position, and three yellow edge pieces in their wrong positions, you can turn the top layer until the correct edge piece is in the back position, and then perform the algorithm once.
If you have no yellow edge piece in its correct position, and four yellow edge pieces in their wrong positions, you can perform the algorithm once from any position, and then follow the previous tip.
Here is an example of how to permute the yellow edges:
Congratulations! You have solved the Rubik's Cube!
Conclusion
Summary of the main points and tips
In this article, we have shown you how to solve a Rubik's Cube in 7 easy steps, using simple algorithms and techniques that anyone can learn. You don't need any prior experience or knowledge, just a Rubik's Cube and some patience. Here is a summary of the main points and tips:
The beginner's method involves solving the cube layer by layer, starting from the bottom and moving up.
There are seven steps in this method: making a cross on the first layer, completing the first layer, solving the second layer, making a yellow cross on the top layer, orienting the yellow corners, permuting the yellow corners, and permuting the yellow edges.
Each step requires a specific algorithm or sequence of moves to complete. You don't need to memorize all the algorithms at once. You can follow the instructions, diagrams, and examples in this article, or watch this video tutorial for a visual demonstration.
You can choose any color to start with, but we recommend choosing white, as it's easier to see and follow.
You need to identify the different types of pieces on the cube: center pieces, edge pieces, and corner pieces. The center pieces never move, so they determine the color of each face.
You need to align the pieces with their corresponding center pieces. For example, the white-red edge piece should be between the white and red center pieces.
You need to check for different cases of pieces that can be solved more easily. For example, if you have all four yellow edge pieces aligned with their center pieces, you can skip the step of permuting the yellow edges.
You need to practice and repeat the steps until you can solve the cube faster and more confidently. You can also try to solve different types of cubes, such as 2x2, 4x4, or 5x5.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new and useful. Solving a Rubik's Cube is a great skill that can improve your brain power, impress your friends, and have fun. You can also join the community of cubers around the world, who share their tips, tricks, and challenges online. You can find more resources and information on websites like rubiks.com, speedcubing.com, or worldcubeassociation.org.
Call to action and encouragement
Now that you know how to solve a Rubik's Cube, why not try it yourself and see how fast you can do it? You can use a timer or an app to measure your speed and track your progress. You can also challenge your friends or family to a friendly competition or a race. You can even join a local or online event or tournament and compete with other cubers. The possibilities are endless.
Remember, solving a Rubik's Cube is not as hard as it seems. It just takes some practice and patience. You can do it if you follow the steps and algorithms in this article. Don't give up if you get stuck or make a mistake. Just keep trying and learning from your errors. You'll be amazed by what you can achieve.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your cube and start solving!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about solving a Rubik's Cube:
Q: How many moves does it take to solve a Rubik's Cube?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on the method, the algorithm, and the skill of the solver. However, according to the mathematical theory of group theory, any scrambled cube can be solved in 20 moves or less, no matter how it is twisted. This is known as God's number, and it was proven in 2010 by a team of researchers using computer simulations.
Q: What is the world record for solving a Rubik's Cube?
A: The current world record for solving a 3x3 Rubik's Cube is 3.47 seconds, set by Yusheng Du from China in 2018 at the Wuhu Open competition. The current world record for solving a 3x3 Rubik's Cube blindfolded is 15.50 seconds, set by Max Hilliard from the USA in 2019 at the CubingUSA Nationals competition.
Q: How many possible combinations are there on a Rubik's Cube?
A: There are 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible combinations on a 3x3 Rubik's Cube. That's about 43 quintillion, or 43 followed by 18 zeros. If you had one cube for each combination and stacked them on top of each other, they would reach about 261 light-years high.
Q: Who invented the Rubik's Cube?
A: The Rubik's Cube was invented in 1974 by Erno Rubik, a Hungarian professor of architecture and design. He wanted to create a toy that would challenge his students and stimulate their creativity and problem-solving skills. He didn't expect that his invention would become one of the most popular and best-selling toys of all time, with over 350 million cubes sold worldwide.
Q: How can I learn more advanced methods of solving a Rubik's Cube?
A: If you want to learn more advanced methods of solving a Rubik's Cube, such as CFOP, Roux, or ZZ, you can find many tutorials and guides online or on YouTube. You can also join online forums or communities where you can ask questions, get feedback, and learn from other cubers. Some of the most popular websites for learning advanced methods are speedsolving.com, cubeskills.com, ruwix.com, and cyotheking.com.
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