Beginner Solution To The Rubik'S Cube Cheat Sheet printable pdf download

Beginner Solution to the Rubik's Cube

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introduction

structure of the cube

cube notation

solution

first layer

cross

FL corners

middle layer

last layer

LL edge orientation

LL corner permutation

LL corner orientation

LL edge permutation

next steps

Introduction

There are many different methods for solving the Rubik's cube. They can be divided into two broad categories - layer methods

and corners first methods (and there are sub-categories within these broad categories). The method I use for speedsolving is a

layer based method. More specifically, the method I currently use is: cross, F2L, 3-look LL. If you are a newbie cuber then this

description may not mean much to you, so I should add that it's the 'Advanced Solution' I described in the

Next Steps

section

at the end of this page.

There are many great websites that explain intermediate, advanced and expert methods for solving the cube (check out my

Rubiks links

page). However, there are very few that explain beginner methods, which is why I wrote this. It's not meant to

be a totally comprehensive explanation, it's really just some notes I threw together for some friends I was teaching. I thought it

might be useful for others, so I've turned it into a webpage.

This beginner method requires memorising only a few algorithms, and when done efficiently can achieve solves of 60 seconds or

faster. I know people who can solve in 30s with a method like this. I, personally, have not done 30s with this method though,

so don't be too distressed if you can't either. On the other hand, if you can do 30s solves with this method, then you are too

good for this method and you should be learning an Advanced method!

Another benefit of this method is that it is fairly scalable, so more algorithms may be added later to develop it into an advanced

method, or if you're really keen, an expert method.

Structure of the cube

We all know that 3x3x3=27, however, rather than thinking about the cube as 27 little "cubies", think about it as 6 fixed centres

(that can rotate on their own axis) with 8 corners and 12 edges which rotate around it. As the centres are fixed, the centre

colour defines the colour for the face. It's important to remember this otherwise you'll end up trying to do illogical (mechanically

impossible!) things like wondering why you can't work out how to put a corner piece in an edge position, or assuming that

you're looking at the blue face merely because 8 of the 9 cubies on it are blue (if the centre is white then it's the white face).

Terminology

When describing the solution for the 2nd and 3rd layers, standard cube notation will be used. Here's what you need to know to

read it:

F = front face

B = back face

R = right face

L = left face

U = up face

D = down face

In addition to a letter, each move may be accompanied by an apostrophe or the number two:

--> A letter by itself means turn that face 90 degrees clockwise (eg. F).

--> A letter followed by an apostrophe means turn that face 90 degrees anti-clockwise (eg. F').

--> A letter followed by the number 2 means turn that face 180 degrees (direction is irrelevant), (eg. F2).

So R U' L2 is shorthand for "turn the right face 90 degrees clockwise, then turn the up face 90 degrees anti-clockwise, then

turn the left face 180 degrees". When thinking whether to turn clockwise/anti-clockwise, imagine that you are looking directly at

the particular face you are turning.

For each algorithm, the notation is written with the assumption that the core of the cube remains fixed throughout the whole

algorithm, and the faces just turn around it. This means that you also need to know how to position the cube to start the

algorithm.

For pictures and further detail about cube notation, have a look at

Jon Morris' cube notation

page.

file:///C|/RubikCube/Solution.htm (1 of 7)8/17/2005 5:07:17 AM

Beginner Solution To The Rubik'S Cube Cheat Sheet

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