How to Solve a 3X3X3 Rubiks Cube

By Stephanie Kim

Introduction
How to solve a Rubiks Cube is the question that we make ourselves when we see a scrambled cube for the first time. Having billions of combinations, it is nearly impossible to solve a Rubiks Cube by trial and error. There are several ways to solve a Rubiks Cube. Here, I will show one of the ways that you can solve a Rubiks Cube in full detail. Rubiks Cube is a 3D combination puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian architecture Emo Rubik. Currently, it is widely considered to be the worlds best selling puzzle game. The most popular model is the Standard Cube (3X3X3). Other models came later: the Junior Cube (2X2X2), the Revenge Cube (4X4X4), and the Professor Cube (5X5X5). In a standard Rubiks Cube, each of the six faces is covered by nine blocks, each blocks with one of six solid colors (traditionally white, red, blue, orange, green, and yellow). An internal pivot mechanism enables each face to turn independently, thus mixing up the colors. For the puzzle to be solved, each face must be returned to consisting of one color. The simplest method of resolution for all the models is to solve the cube by layers, beginning from the top layer to the bottom layer. First, this instruction will go over the basic terms of the Rubiks cube, then the instruction will be divided into three stages: 1st layer, 2nd layer, and 3rd layer. In the end, it will provide maintenance tips, and video clip version of this instruction. For a beginner, it will take an hour or two, even longer, to complete the cube. However, do not give up! If you practice long enough, solving the cube will become second nature. Always remember that practice is the key to mastering the Rubiks cube.

Definitions of Rubiks Cube Pieces

TOP
1st Layer (Top Layer)

LEFT FRONT RIGHT

2nd Layer (Middle Layer) 3rd Layer (Bottom Layer)

BOTTOM
1. Center Pieces
Pieces with one color. There are total six center pieces located in the center of each side. Center pieces do not move and represent the color of their side. Pieces with two colors. There are twelve edge pieces located in the middle row. Pieces with three colors. There are eight corner pieces located on the corners.

Corner Piece

2. Edge Pieces

3. Corner Pieces
Edge Piece Center Piece

Instructions 1st LAYER

1. Make a cross
1.1 Pick out any color from the center pieces and set it as the Top Layer 1.2 Find edges that correspond to the center color of the top layer and a center color from the sides. For example, if the top layer is green, find edges with green and red, green and yellow, green and white, etc.. 1.3 Turn the cube so that the color of the edge matches the center color of a side. 1.4 Turn the cube so that the other color of the edge creates a partial cross on the top layer. 1.5 Repeat steps 1.2 1.4 until you create a complete cross on the top layer.

2.

Set the corners

2.1 Find a corner that consists the center color of the top layer and two other center colors of the sides. 2.2 Place the corner into its OPTIMAL POSITION (Figures below).

Green corner piece on the left side of the third layer The corner piece is in between the corresponding center colors of orange and yellow.

2.3 Turn the 3rd layer away from the side, where the corner of interest is placed. For example, if the corner of interest is at the bottom left corner, turn the 3rd layer to the left.

2.4 Bring down the side, where the corner of interest was at previously. For example, if the corner of interest was at the bottom left corner, bring down the left side.

2.5 Turn the 3rd layer to the opposite direction of step 2.3 For example, if the 3rd layer was turned to the left on step 2.3, turn the 3rd layer back to the right for step 2.5.

2.6 Lift up the side of which you have brought down on step 2.4 For example, if the left side was brought down on step 2.4, lift it up for step 2.6

2.7 Repeat steps 2.1 2.6 to complete the 1st layer.

TIP: The turning direction depends on the initial position of the corner piece in the optimal position.

2nd LAYER
3. Match the edges
INAPPROPRIATE EDGE APPROPRIATE EDGE 3.1 Find an edge that consists two center colors of two different sides. Do not touch any edges that consists the center color of the bottom. 3.4 Bring down the opposite side of step 3.3 For example, if you turned the 3rd layer to the left on step 3.3, bring down the right side for step 3.4.

On the RIGHT 3.2 Align the edge of interest to the center color of a side. Check the bottom side of the edge of interest. Make sure it is not the center color of the bottom. 3.3 Turn the 3rd layer away from the side that consist the bottom color of the edge of interest as a center color. For example, if the bottom color of the edge is the center color of the right side, turn the 3rd layer to the left.

3.5 Turn the 3rd layer back to its initial position. For example, if you turned the 3rd layer to the right on step 3.3, turn it back to the left for step 3.5.

3.6 Lift up the side that you have brought down on step 3.4.

 3.7 Reassemble the displaced corner edge of the 1st layer steps 2.3 2.6. by repeating

3.8 Repeat steps 3.1 3.7 to complete the 2nd layer.

TIP: The turning direction depends on the initial position of the edge piece.

3rd LAYER
4. Make a cross

4.1 Flip the cube so that the 3rd layer is facing the top. 4.2 Check the 3rd layer. See if it is in a form of a dot, Lshape, line, or cross. 4.3 Set the cube in a correct position.

Dot: Position does not matter LShape: One of the L edges must face towards you, and the other to the right Line: Must be horizontal Cross: You may skip this step

DOT

L-SHAPE

LINE

TIP: From now on when you are turning the cube, make sure you maintain the initial position. For instance, if the white side is facing toward you, the white side should still face you whenever you precede the directions

 4.3 4.4 4.5 Set the cube in a correct Turn the Front side to the Lift up the Right side. position. right. 4.6 4.7 4.8 Turn the Top to the Bring down the Right side. Turn the Top to the clockwise. counter clockwise. 4.9 4.10 Turn the Front side to the Repeat steps 4.1 4.8 to left. form a cross on the 3rd layer.

5.

Match the edges

5.1 Turn the 3 rd layer until you have aligned more than two edges with the center color of the sides. 5.4 Spin the 3rd layer to the clockwise twice.

5.2 Set the cube so that one of the unaligned edges faces you and the other towards the right.

5.3 Lift up the Right side.

X2

5.5 Bring down the Right side.

5.6 Turn the 3rd layer to the counter clockwise once.

 5.7 Lift up the Right side.

5.8 Turn the 3rd layer to the counter clockwise once more.

5.9 Bring down the Right side.

5.10 Realign the edges with the center colors.

6. Rearrange 3rd layer corners

6.2 6.1 rd Set the cube in a correct position. Check if the four corners on the 3 layer are in correct positions. None of the corners are in a correct Check if a corner consists colors of the center position: Position does not matter. colors of the sides. At least one corner is in a correct For example, if the three center colors are yellow position: Position the cube so that t greenorange, check if the corner edge also consists his corner is on the Bottom right of yellowgreenorange. the 3rd layer. All of the corners are in correct positions: Skip to step 7. 6.3 6.5 6.4 Lift up the Left side. Lift up the Right side. Turn the Top layer to the clockwise once.

CORRECT POSITION

INCORRECT POSITION

 6.6 6.7 6.8 Bring down the Left Side. Turn the Top layer to the Turn the Top layer to the clockwise once. counter clockwise once. 6.9 6.10 Bring down the Right Turn the Top layer to the side. counter clockwise once.

6.11 Check if all the corners are in correct positions.

TIP: As long as the corner consists the colors of centers of the adjacent sides, it is in a correct position. The colors of the corner do not have to be on the same face of each of its center color.

7. Align the corner colors of the 3rd layer

Right side On the 7.1 Set the cube so that the corners are on unaligned side. the right If all of the four corners are unaligned, the position does not matter. 1 5

7.2 Repeat steps 5.3 5.10 .

7.3 Repeat steps 5.3 5.10 on the Left side. This step is very similar to step 7.2. The only difference is that you are turning the left hand side of the cube. Here is a diagram for step 7.3.

X2

7.4 Repeat steps 7.1 7.3 to complete the 3rd layer.

Mission Accomplished

Maintenance Tips
There are two ways to improve your cubes performance: Cleaning and using a lubricant. The easiest way to improve the smoothness of the cube is to clean the moving parts of the cube. You can disassemble the cube and clean off the dust with an old toothbrush or a towel. In addition, you may also use a siliconbased lubricant, not petroleum based (WD 40), to lube your cube. First, pop out an edge piece and spray a bit in the hole. Put the piece back in and turn the cube randomly for a while to spread it to all the moving parts.

Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble solving a Rubiks cube through this hardcopy version instruction, you can check out the video clip version of this instruction through https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaltgJGzdU. This video clip will go over the instruction in detail and it will help you understand the steps even better.