The Rubik’s Cube

Lesson 5 – The Final 4 Corners

Recap of everything so far
So far you know every step of solving the Rubik’s Cube bar one. This includes the algorithms, their
applications and other information such as the notation of turns on the cube. Let’s see if you can
remember everything you’ve learnt:

• What would the notation for a clockwise move of the B face be?
• Name an edge that is used to build the white-cross.
• How many times might you have to repeat the corner-solving algorithm for the first layer?
• Give one of the algorithm(s) to solve an edge on the middle layer.
• Give the algorithm for the L pattern on the top layer.
Recap Answers
Here are the answers to the recap quiz to see how well you remembered the topics covered last
time:

•B
• White-Blue, White-Red, White-Green, White-Orange
• Six times
• Any of the middle layer edge solving algorithms
• F U R U’ R’ F’
The Final Stage
As you may have seen by the progress made last time, there is only one more thing you have to do
to solve the Rubik’s Cube – Complete the final four corners.
This is done in two separate steps: First by placing the corners in their correct places and second by
rotating them in their places to solve the puzzle.
We will learn two new algorithms today that perform both of these tasks. These are the last two
algorithms in the solution.
Know the rest

To be able to complete this stage and subsequently the cube itself, you must be
able to solve the cube up to where the previous lesson left off (with all but the last
four corners solved correctly). If you cannot get to this stage, don’t continue
onwards as learning new things when you don’t know the old stuff can be
confusing.
Algorithms only
Everything you do from this point onwards will be algorithmic. This is
because you physically can’t turn the puzzle without disturbing
something that you’ve already made.

This also means that following the algorithms perfectly is

essential, as failure to correctly complete an algorithm could
completely ruin everything you’ve already accomplished.
Positioning the four corners
In order to position the four corners, you need to perform an algorithm that cycles
them. This means you have to know which corners to cycle, and when a corner is
solved.
With the algorithm that you will learn, three corners on the top layer
will be cycled around. This is enough to position all four corners
correctly.

On the example face shown, performing the algorithm will move the A
corner to the B position, the B corner to the C position, and the C corner
to the A position. The bottom right corner is unaffected.

A -> B
B -> C
C -> A
The Algorithm
The algorithm to rotate these three edges is:
U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L
As this algorithm will only rotate three of the corners on the cube, which corner do
you want to leave unchanged? Preferably one that is already solved.
In this image, take a look at the Yellow-Blue-Orange corner. This is an example of a corner
that is already solved. The reason why it is deemed solved is because it is already in the
Yellow-Blue-Orange position, but it’s rotated in it’s place. Sometimes your solved corner
will not be rotated in it’s place, and will be solved completely.
The likelihood is you’ll have one solved corner. If not, all you have to do is
perform the algorithm whilst holding the cube in any orientation and
then find the one you made.
When performing the algorithm, keep your solved corner in the bottom
right position, as shown in the picture. You might need to perform the
algorithm twice to solve all of the corners.
Have you done it correctly?
You’ve nearly completed the first part of the last stage! Before you
continue, make sure to check that each corner is in it’s correct position.
Below are the different positions of correctly solved pieces. Check that
each of your corners look like one of the pictures below, with the
correct colours.
Rotating the Corners to solve the cube
Now that we’ve correctly positioned the four corners of the cube, we’re
ready to finish off the cube by rotating these last four pieces with one
final algorithm.
This algorithm follows the same style as the first corner solving
algorithm, in which one algorithm is repeated a set number of times to
solve a corner.

The algorithm is: R’ D’ R D

When to use the algorithm
This algorithm is used in a very specific way, and it can be very easy to ruin all of your progress so
far, so pay attention!
Whilst holding the corner that you want to solve in the bottom right of the top layer (in the same
way you held the cube when you positioned the corners), you will see how many times you will have
to repeat the algorithm.
Hold the first corner that needs to be rotated in the bottom right. Use the chart below to see how
many algorithm executions are necessary.

Once you have performed the algorithm the

required number of times, the corner will
be solved but the rest of the cube will look
scrambled. Perform a single U move and
move on to the next corner, doing the same
as before. Once all four corners are solved,
the cube will return back to normal. TWICE FOUR TIMES NONE
Example
These animations show an example solve in which two corners are
solved and two need to be solved.

The first corner is solved with two A U move is performed to position the unsolved
repetitions of R’ D’ R D corner in the bottom right, and then the second
corner is solved with four repetitions of R’ D’ R D
You’re done!
If you’ve done everything correctly, you should be looking at a solved
Rubik’s Cube. Everything you need to know to solve the cube has been
covered in these presentations. If you need to return to previous
presentations to relearn or brush up certain sections, go ahead!

Congratulations on solving the Rubik’s Cube!