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Lately, I've been getting into something called the Rubik's Cube. If you don't know what this is, let me explain. ;) The Rubik's Cube is basically a cube shaped object with 9 colored squares on each side. As you can see in the picture, corner pieces each have three colors on them, the middle edge pieces only have two colors on them, and the very center piece is only one color. These pieces move so that the colors can get mixed up. The point of the Rubik's Cube is the challenge of solving it. Solving it is the act of putting all of a certain color in the right place, on all of the sides of the cube. If you still don't understand, look it up. Or look at this picture right here:
This is a 3x3 in it's solved form. Okay, now that we have figured out exactly what the Rubik's Cube is, let's find out how to solve it.
Now I know what you are thinking: 'Let's find out how to solve it?' I would just put the colors where they go and get on with my life, come on Abbie, get a little smarter, will you?
Or, Ha, do we need to 'learn' how to solve it, or do you need to get a little smarter? Well, as easy as it sounds, it is an art and a puzzle. It is challenging. Even if you are really smart and have a degree in biology and chemistry and know how to fly a rocket. It's really hard. But if you are wondering, no, it's not rocket science (which wouldn't matter for most of you, as you all apparently fly rockets for a living). Thank you for pointing that out. In my next post, I'm going to teach you how to solve a 2x2, which is smaller and easier but still can be challenging. For the beginner's method, there are 3 algorithms to learn. But before we get into the algorithms, we need to learn how to read the algorithms. For this, I am going to teach you Rubik's Notations. Rubik's Notations are a series of letters that make up a cubing language so that you always know exactly what direction to turn the cube. Cubers use this language to mix up the cube, solve it, and make patterns. You will learn all about this later.
Now on with the teaching!!!
The letter U means moving the upper layer with your right index finger so that the layer turns towards the left.
The letter U' means moving the upper layer with your left index finger so that the layer turns towards the right.
The letter D means moving the bottom layer with your right ring finger so that the layer turns towards the left.
The letter D' means moving the bottom layer with your left ring finger so that the layer turns towards the right.
The letter R means moving the right side layer with your right hand so that the layer turns towards the front.
The letter R' means moving the right side layer with your right hand so that the layer turns towards the back (the side facing you).
The letter L means moving the left side layer with your left hand so that the layer turns towards the back.
The letter L' means moving the left side layer with your left hand so that the layer turns towards the front.
The letter F means moving the front layer with your right index finger so that the layer turns towards the right.
The letter F' means moving the front layer with your left index finger so that the layer turns towards the left. The letter B means moving the back layer with your right middle finger so that the layer turns towards the right. The letter B' means moving the back layer with your left middle finger so that the layer turns towards the left.
Now, I know what you are thinking. "Too many letters to remember, I can't do it!!!!" Well then let me help you out! You probably won't remember the letters if they don't have any meaning if they are literally just letters. In that case, I should probably give you some meaning!!
The U stands for Upper, and the prime (also known as this thing: ') just means the opposite.
The D stands for down (they ran out of B)
The R stands for right.
The L stands for left.
The F stands for the front.
The B stands for the back.
Now if this was a little bit confusing, here is a site that can visually help you clear it up; https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/notation/advanced/ This is a great website for all cubers and full credit is given to Ruwix!
Just as a warning, this notation website is for 3x3s so there will be some things I didn't teach you, but don't worry, whatever I did teach you is still the same.
This website also has an awesome timer for later on when you know how to solve the Rubik's Cube; https://ruwix.com/online-rubiks-stopwatch-timer/
This is also set for 3x3 so to change it just click the settings button and set it for 2x2x2.
Here is a great video to help you with you finger tricks and help your turns get a little smoother; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRskR71ccYM&t=547s
Have fun learning and I'll see you later, Crazy Abbie Out!