If you look up the word “frustration” in the dictionary, you’ll probably see a
picture of a Rubik’s Cube. It takes some bright minds only 5 seconds to solve, yet
others spend years trying to put it together, eventually giving up. But what if I told you
anyone can solve the Rubik’s Cube with one single algorithm? I tested it myself, and
it’s really simple! Check it out…
Okay, for starters, let’s see what a 3x3 Cube consists of. It has 3 main parts:
center, edge, and corner.
To understand how these algorithms work, you have to learn the Rubik’s Cube lingo:
All moves are written down in letters that stand for one 90-degree cube rotation.
U (up), D (down), L (left), R (right), F (front), and B (back)
An apostrophe means that the layer should move counter-clockwise by 90 degrees. No apostrophe
means it goes 90 degrees clockwise. When there’s a number next to the letter, it stands for
the number of turns you should make.
You can now pause the video and practice the rotations. In the algorithm I’ll be showing
you today, you’ll only work with the ones in this yellow zone.
So, here’s the main algorithm. For your right hand, it’ll be R, U, R’,
U’ and once again R, U, R’, U’ It’s the exact opposite for your left hand:
L’, U’, L, U and again L’, U’, L, U
Let’s see what that looks like in real life. Right hand: R, U, R’, U’ and once again
R, U, R’, U’ Now left hand: L’, U’, L, U and again
L’, U’, L, U
Before you continue, it’s a good idea to pause the video and practice until you can
do all these moves pretty much automatically. It’ll help you later on!
By the way, if you repeat this algorithm 6 times, the cube will look exactly like it
did in the very beginning! Cool, huh?
Ok, so you’ll go through 7 stages in today’s algorithm:
#1. White Cross on the Bottom #2. The Bottom corners
#3. The Middle layer #4. The Yellow cross
#5. The Top layer #6. The Top corners
#7. The Final goal!
#1. Solve the white cross on the bottom
The task here is to put together a white cross, and align its edges with the right colored
center on each side. Here, I’ll mix it all up first. Now, let's
get started!
To begin with, you have to put together this sequence that looks kinda like a daisy. It’s
really easy and doesn’t require any special algorithms - try it yourself!
Then, rotate the top layer with the daisy on it, align the right colors of the layers
with the color of the center, and rotate this layer 180 degrees. Do the same thing with
the remaining whites. And this is how you get a white cross at the bottom!
#2. Solve the four corner pieces on the bottom
At this stage, you’ll have to put the lower corners of the cube in the right places, and
the white side of the cube will be solved.
Here’s where you’ll use that R U R’ U’ algorithm for your right hand. Rotate
only the top layer of the cube to find a corner that’s the same color as the centers of
the other sides, and use the algorithm until the corner is in the right place.
Do the same with the rest of the corners. At the end of this stage, you should have
little upside Ts on all sides, ending at the center piece.
#3. Solve the four edge pieces in the middle layer
At this stage, you’ll need to solve the rest of the middle layer so that the outer
blocks are the same color as the center.
In the first case, the layer you’ll be working with is to the LEFT on the top of the target
position. You must match it with the right color. Here’s how you can do it:
Turn the Upper part to the LEFT Use the algorithm for the right hand
Rotate the CUBE LEFT Use the algorithm for the left hand
In the second case, the layer you’ll be working with is to the RIGHT on top of the
target position. You must match it with the corresponding color.
Here’s how to do it: Turn the Upper part to the RIGHT
Use the algorithm for the left hand Rotate the CUBE RIGHT
Use the algorithm for the right hand
Repeat that with all the sides, and you’re done!
#4. Solve the yellow edges on the top layer
First, you put together a yellow cross on the yellow side of the cube.
If you don’t see the yellow line but only a random set of yellow edges, start doing
the algorithm. As soon as you see the yellow line, start
doing the same algorithm! And this is how you get a cross.
#5. Solve the four edge pieces on the top layer
Now we need to arrange the edges of the yellow cross so that the second color coincides with
the color of that side. Let's get started!
Find one edge that’s already in place. Rotate the top layer of the cube to align the edge
with the corresponding color. It’s important that only one edge is matching. If two of
them match, you should use a slightly modified algorithm to mix the edges.
Again, only one edge should coincide in color. Keep that one in front of you and use the
same algorithm until the remaining edges get in the right positions. Voila!
#6. Orient the yellow corners on the top layer
At this stage, the task is to put the corners in place with the appropriate colors of neighboring
centers. You only need to move them into place – you’re not solving them just yet.
Find the corner that’s already in place (in this case, it’s even rotated correctly,
but that’s not important), and use a slightly modified algorithm until the corners are in
their places. Done!
#7. Solve the yellow corners on the top layer
You’re almost done! All you have to do is solve the corners!
Rotate the cube so that the yellow side is facing you. You’ll work with the upper right
corner. Let’s solve it corner by corner. Don’t rotate the cube and do everything
step by step. A lot of people make mistakes at this stage
and have to start all over, so be careful! Use the algorithm you already know in a slightly
modified order until the corner is solved. Once you’re done with one, move to the next
by rotating the side that’s facing you and using the same algorithm.
Rotate the front layer so that all colors of the cube match, and you’re done!
Congrats, you now know how to solve a classic 3x3 Rubik's Cube! This method will work on
other types of 3x3 cubes too. But the real kicker is that it also helps solve even more
complex ones, like this futuristic-looking cube! So, just keep practicing, and you’ll
have it down in no time!
Did you manage to solve the Cube using this algorithm? Or maybe you have your own way
of doing it? Let me know down in the comments! If you learned something new today, then give
this video a like and share it with a friend. But – hey! – don’t go anywhere just
yet! We have over 2,000 cool videos for you to check out. All you have to do is pick the
left or right video, click on it, and enjoy! Stay on the Bright Side of life!