Rubix Cube Solution PART 5 POSITION AND COLOUR ALIGN ALL REMAINING OUT OF PLACE MIDDLE-EDGE PIECES

THE RUBIX CUBE SOLUTION CONTINUED

PART 5 – POSITION AND COLOUR ALIGN ALL REMAINING OUT OF PLACE MIDDLE-EDGE PIECES, CONTINUED FROM (PART 4)

New Orientation

Turn the whole cube so that the 2 solved sides appear on the left and right sides. See figure 24 below.

Keep this new orientation fixed, and turn just the centre up and away until all 4 remaining centre squares fall into correct colour alignment as in figure 24. Note: Blue on the left side.



At this point, you will find one of five things will happen:

Case 1 –Four middle-edge pieces out of place and not colour aligned. Use process (A) on the following page twice.

Case 2 – Three middle-edge pieces out of place and not colour aligned. Use process (A).

Case 3 – Four middle-edge pieces in position but not colour aligned. Use process (B) below twice.

Case 4 – Three middle-edge pieces out of place and one piece in position but not colour aligned. Use process (A) then process (B).

Case 5 – Two middle-edge pieces in position but not colour aligned. Use process (B).

A. Process A

The goal of Process (A) is to place all remaining unsolved middle-edge pieces into their correct positions.

The four step procedure outlined below will move three middle-edge sub-cubes, causing them to exchange their positions with each other, without disturbing other sub-cubes. Figure 25 shows the three side sub-cubes that will exchange positions. The position exchange occurs as follows: the side sub-cube marked 1 will move to the position occupied by side sub-cube marked 2; the side sub-cube marked 2 will move to the position marked 3; and the side sub-cube marked 3 will move to the position marked 1.



Now check all the remaining out of place middle-edge pieces and pick 3 that will fall into correct place if exchanged.

Remember; first find the 3 out of place middle-edge cubes that will fall into correct position if they are exchanged in the manner below:

Be careful to maintain the starting orientation when using the procedure, hold both solved outside thirds firmly in steps 1 and 3.







Repeat Process (A) steps 1-4 above until either the puzzle is solved OR you find you have left one pair of middle-edge pieces that are in position but not colour aligned. To solve this last pair go on and do process (B) steps 1-12 below.

If you find you are in Case 4, you will have 2 pairs of middle-edge pieces in position but not colour aligned as in figure 26A. Process (B) will solve them one pair at a times.




B. Process B

This 12 step process is known as Rubik’s Manoeuvre after Erno Rubik, the inventor of the cube.

Before you run Process (B), the 2 middle-edge pieces whose colours are to be flipped must be opposite each other on top of the cube as shown in figure 26A.

Repeat Rubik’s 12 step process if you have another pair in position that needs to be colour aligned.

Now you have solved the cube – Congratulations, you’re a CUBIST! Mix it up and start again.

Rubix Cube Solution PART 4 SOLVE TWO SIDES OF THE CUBE.

THE RUBIX CUBE SOLUTION CONTINUED

PART 4 – SOLVE TWO SIDES OF THE CUBE, CONTINUED FROM (PART 3)

The objective of this part is to solve 2 opposite side of the cube by using the guide piece to solve one bottom middle-edge piece at a time.

When you solved the first (blue) side you were instructed to leave one middle-edge piece out (unsolved). The missing piece will now act as a guide piece. See figure 20A below.

Turn the whole rubix cube so your blue reference colour appears on top. Keep blue on top and turn the whole cube again until the guide piece is facing you as in figure 20A below.



A. Choosing a Target Piece.

Now turn just the bottom row of the cube until an out of position bottom-edge piece appears directly below the guide piece as in figure 20B. This is the TARGET piece you will solve. Notice the two common colours of the 2 lower front corners. In the example in figure 20B the two common corner colours are yellow and orange. This means that the correct bottom middle-edge piece for this spot must be yellow and orange. In this case, the correct piece is located on the middle row.



At this point, choose a bottom middle-edge piece to solve by positioning it under the guide piece. Call this the TARGET piece.

Now check the 2 common colours of the corners on either side of the TARGET piece. Only the CORRECT MISSING piece will have these two colours. Find it! But remember to keep the blue reference colour on top and the guide piece facing you.

B. Locating and Storing CORRECT MISSING Piece.

The CORRECT MISSING piece will always be found in one of 3 places: (a) on the middle row as in figure 20, (b) on the bottom row out of place or (c) on top in the guide piece position.

Once you find the CORRECT MISSING piece you must store it in order to solve the TARGET piece. The CORRECT MISSING piece must be stored on the middle row in the storage position marked (X) in figure 21. How you store this piece depends on where it is located.



a. If you find the CORRECT MISSING piece on the middle row, then just turn the middle row until it falls into storage position (X). Then follow steps 1-3 or steps 1-3D below.




Note: Do not go on to step 3 unless the missing piece drops into correct colour alignment after step 2. If after step 2 the missing piece appears in position but out of colour alignment, then proceed to steps 3A-3D.



steps 3A-3D






b. If you find the CORRECT MISSING piece on the bottom, first, turn just the bottom row until the correct missing piece appears under the GUIDE piece. (This will move your TARGET piece out of position temporarily.) Then follow steps 1-3 below.





NOW TURN THE BOTTOM ROW UNTIL THE TARGET PIECE APPEARS UNDER THE GUIDE PIECE AGAIN.

Go back to section (B,a) above and follow steps 1-3 or 1-3D.

c. If the correct missing piece is the guide piece then follow steps 1-3 below:




Note: Do not go on to step 3 unless the missing piece drops into correct colour alignment after step 2. If after step 2, the missing piece appears in position but out of colour alignment, then go back to section (A) above and follow steps 3A-3D.



Solve all missing bottom edge pieces until you succeed in colour aligning the entire bottom of the cube. At this point, you will have the bottom solved and the (blue) top solved except for the guide piece. (see figure 22).

Now that the bottom is solved, you must solve the missing guide piece to complete the top. Find the correct top middle-edge piece. This piece can be found only in one of 2 places. (A) on the middle row or (B) already in position on top but not colour aligned.

(A) If you find the missing top middle-edge piece on the middle row then move it to position No.2 as in figure 22. In the example in figure 19 the correct missing top middle-edge piece is red and blue and it appears in position No. 2.



Once you move your correct top middle-edge piece to position No.2, follow steps 1-7.









(B) If your last top middle-edge piece (guide piece) is already in position but is not colour aligned, follow steps 1-7 THEN TURN THE CENTRE ROW RIGHT 90 DEGREES AND REPEAT STEPS 1-7 (see above) AGAIN.

Note: If after step 7 the guide piece falls into position but is not colour aligned, REPEAT STEPS 1-7, THEN TURN THE CENTRE ROW RIGHT 90 DEGREES AND REPEAT STEPS 1-7 AGAIN.

Now you should have both the top and bottom of the cube completely solved as shown in figure 23, with blue on top



NEXT UP PART 5 AND POSITION AND COLOUR ALL REMAINING PIECES

Rubix Cube Solution PART 3 COLOUR ALIGN THE BOTTOM 4 CORNERS.

THE RUBIX CUBE SOLUTION CONTINUED

PART 3 COLOUR ALIGN THE BOTTOM 4 CORNERS, CONTINUED FROM (PART 2)

A. The objective of this 8 move process is to colour align the remaining corners. At this point, all 8 corners sub-cubes are in the correct position, but 4 or less of them are not colour aligned.

First, remember to keep the same orientation with the solved blue side at the back (away from you). This 8 step process rotates 3 of the four front corners on their axis. See figure 18. It keeps corners A, B and C in position but rotates the 3 colours on each corner. The process rotates the 3 corner sub-cubes A, B and C only, however, before you proceed you must establish the correct Initial Orientation. (See a, b and c below).

INITIAL ORIENTATION
a.If after you complete Part 2, you find you have one of the corner sub-cubes colour aligned, turn the whole cube so that that corner appears in the position marked (X). Do steps 1-8 below.

b.If you have two corners aligned, then turn the whole cube so that they fall in the position marked (A) and (B) or (A) and (C). Do steps 1-8 below.

c.If none of the front corners are colour aligned then it doesn’t matter. Do steps 1-8 below.



This process must be repeated several times (usually 2 to 4 times) until all 8 corners are colour aligned with reference to their centre cubes.

Check for colour aligned corners each time you do steps 1-8. then refer to a, b or c above before repeating the process. You will know that all 8 corners are in colour alignment when every side of the cube shows at least 5 squares of the same colour in an “X’ed” (or cross) pattern. See figure 19.



Remember, first check how many corners are colour aligned to make sure you are in the correct starting position. See a, b and c above. As you do the procedure, be sure to grasp the non-moving two thirds of the cube firmly to maintain your starting orientation (correct solved blue side in back.) Failing to do so will put you back to part 1.










After you do steps 1-8, check how many corners are colour aligned. Don’t worry if you had 2 corners colour aligned and you lost one or both because the last time you run the process only one corner should be colour aligned.

Now repeat steps 1-8 until all 8 corners become colour aligned as in figure 19 above.

DO NOT proceed to Part 4 unless one side, eight corners and six centres are in their solved condition. (In correct position and also colour aligned).

NEXT UP PART 4 AND SOLVING TWO SIDES OF THE CUBE

Rubix Cube Solution PART 2 PUT BOTTOM 4 CORNERS INTO PLACE

THE RUBIX CUBE SOLUTION CONTINUED

PART 2 PUT BOTTOM 4 CORNERS INTO PLACE, CONTINUED FROM (PART 1)

The objective of this part is to put each of the 4 remaining corner sub-cubes into its proper place (but not colour aligned).

A, Hold the completed blue side away from you. This is important. Throughout Parts 2 and 3 the completed side must be held away from you (at the back of the cube) at all times! (See figure 15). This next process exchanges Bottom Left Corner (A) with Bottom Right Corner (B).

While holding the completed side away from you, examine the 4 corners of the cube facing you (the front 4 corners, ABC & D). Check the see if any 2 or all of them are in correct position. You will always be able to find either 2 or 4 corners in correct position. If you only find one or you find none, then rotate the front face of the cube and check again.



A corner is in correct position only if all 3 of its colours match all 3 of the colours of the centre squares it touches as in figure 16A below. Figure 16A shows the top right corner in position but not colour aligned. Figure 16B shows the same corner in position AND colour aligned.





If you find all 4 front corners in correct position, then go on to Part 3. If you find 2 corners in correct position they will either be side by side (in A & B or in D & C) or diagonally across from each other (in A & C or D & B). See figure 15.

Remember, you must always find 2 or 4 of the front corners in correct position. If you find none or only one correct, then keep rotating the front face of the cube and check all 4 front corners after each turn until you find 2 or 4 correct.

B. If the 2 corners in correct position are next to each other (in A & B or C & D) then you must exchange the other 2 remaining front corners. To do this , turn the whole cube until the 2 incorrect corners appear in the x’ed positions as shown in figure 17. Keep the completed blue side in back and follow steps 1-8 below.



C. If the 2 corners in correct position are diagonally opposite each other (in A & C or D & B) then you will have to repeat steps 1-8 twice. Follow steps 1-8, then rotate the front face of the cube one turn clockwise or counter clockwise and check the corners again. Now you should find 2 corners side by side in correct position. To exchange the remaining 2 out of place front corners, turn the WHOLE CUBE until the 2 incorrect corners appear in the X’ed positions as shown above in figure 17. Now run steps 1-8 again.

Hint: Get a grease pencil and mark the 2 corners you want to exchange 1 and 2. Then run the process, and you will be able to verify that they changed places.

Grasp the non-rotating two thirds firmly so that the orientation does not change from move to move. After the eighth move, verify that the selected corner sub-cubes exchanged positions and the initially completed blue side is not disturbed.

Remember to keep the completed blue side in back, away from you.










Now check all four corners to confirm that they are all in place.

DO NOT proceed to part 3 unless you still have the starting condition and the additional four corner sib-cubes are in their correct position. None, one or two corners may be aligned. Part 3 will tell you how to proceed.

NEXT UP PART 3 AND PUTTING THE BOTTOM CORNERS INTO COLOUR ALIGNMENT

Rubix Cube Solution PART 1(B,C) SOLVE TOP CORRECTLY

THE RUBIX CUBE SOLUTION CONTINUED

PART 1 SOLVE THE TOP CORRECTLY CONTINUED FROM (SECTION A)

Section B. Solving the four blue middle edge pieces.

The correct top middle-edge pieces will be found in one of three places: on top, either in position or out of position; on the middle row or on the bottom row.

a. To bring up a middle-edge piece from the middle row as shown in figure 9; read the note below.



Note: Before you do steps 1-4, keep the blue reference colour on top, and turn the whole cube until an out of place top middle-edge piece appears in position No.2 above. Then move the middle row horizontally until the piece you need falls into position No. 1. This is the correct starting position for the process. Now proceed to do steps 1-4.





Note: Proceed to step 4 only if the missing top middle-edge piece falls into correct colour alignment as shown in step 3 diagram above. If piece is out of colour alignment, proceed to do steps 4a-4d below.



Steps 4a-4d






b. To bring up an out of place top middle-edge piece from the bottom row, first move the piece you need directly below where it belongs as in figure 10, then follow steps 1-4 below:



steps 1-4






c. You may find an out of place top middle-edge piece with the blue reference colour hidden on the bottom of the cube. Turn just the bottom row until this piece is lined up directly below where it belongs. See figure 11, then follow steps 1-3 below.



steps 1-3





d. You will sometimes find the top middle edge pieces that are already on top but must be exchanged in order to fall into correct colour alignment. See figure 12.



To exchange the two top middle edge pieces shown in figure 12 follow steps 1-6 below. Note: x’ed pieces on step 1 are the ones that will be exchanged. Keep blue on top.









e. To exchange 2 top middle-edge pieces that face each other on top of the cube as shown in figure 13, keep blue on top and follow steps 1-3 below.



steps 1-3





If you practice solving one side correctly, you should eventually be able to put all 9 pieces of any colour into correct colour alignment in less than one minute. The more you practice the less you have to depend on the diagrams.

Section C. The starting position defined.

To begin solving the whole puzzle, first solve the blue side correctly, but leave one of its middle-edge pieces unsolved. This is known as the STARTING POSITION. (see figure 14) The missing piece will act as a guide in part 4.



Note: Except for the blue reference colour, we won’t refer to specific colours, since they don’t matter, and each cube may be labelled differently.

Now that you have solved one side of the cube correctly, you have solved one third of it. At this point you are in the STARTING POSITION and you are ready to proceed to Part 2 since you have 4 of the corner sub-cubes in correct position and colour aligned on the solved side.


NEXT UP PART 2 AND THE BOTTOM CORNERS

Rubix Cube Solution PART 1(A) SOLVE THE TOP CORRECTLY

THE Rubix Cube SOLUTION

See the Introduction before cracking on with Part 1

PART 1 SOLVE THE TOP CORRECTLY

Before you begin to solve Rubik’s Cube, you must learn how to solve one side correctly. Ironically, solving the first side is easy to perform but hard to explain because the missing pieces are randomly dispersed over the entire cube.

SOLVING THE BLUE SIDE

Note: Solve the blue side first so that we’ll be talking about the same reference colour. The other colours may not match our diagrams since each cube may be labelled differently.

Part 1 is divided into three sections:

Section A describes two moves that will help you position and colour align the 4 blue corners.
Section B gives you 5 basic manoeuvres you will need to bring the 4 blue top middle-edge pieces up into position and colour aligned. These five manoeuvres don’t have to be done in any order. You should learn them and use them as you need them.
Section C defines the starting position.


Section A. Position and align 4 blue corners.

Move the four corner sub-cubes with blue centre to the top of the cube so that the blue squares appear on top. As you bring up the the blue corners, try to bring them up into the correct colour alignment as shown in figure 6.

If you cannot bring the four blue corners up into correct colour alignment , then bring them to the top any way you can. We will show you how to exchange them so that they fall into the correct position and colour alignment.

If you bring up the blue corners in any fashion, one of 3 things will happens:
a) None of the corners will be in position.
b) Two of the corners will be in position and colour aligned, or
c) All 4 corners may fall into correct colour alignment by accident. In this case, you go straight on to Section B.

a. If none of the corners are in position, keep the blue reference corners on top, and follow steps 1-9 below.

Note: The red x’d marked corners on step 1 will exchange.











b. If two of the blue corners are in position and the colour aligned, the remaining two incorrect blue corners must be exchanged. Keep the blue reference corners on top, and turn the whole cube until the two incorrect corners face you as shown in figure 7 below.



Now follow steps 1-10 below.

Note: Grasp the non-moving 2 thirds of the cube firmly to maintain your starting orientation (blue on top). The x’ed (incorrect) corners in step 1 are the ones that will exchange.












At this point, you should have 4 blue corners in position and colour aligned as shown in figure 8.

Now you must position and colour align all 4 top middle-edge pieces.
Note: All 4 pairs of side edge colours must match up.


PART 1 (SECTIONS B AND C) GO THERE NOW

Rubix Cube Solution INTRO TO PARTS 1 to 5

Well, now that you have experienced the challenge of Rubik's cube and lost, you know why we say it's so perplexing. Chin up! In order to help you regain your sanity, we have developed the following simple approach to the ultimate rubix cube solution.

Take heart, with a little practice and some memorisation we will soon have you dazzling your friends, relatives and total strangers with your new found mastery of Rubik's cube.

The solution to Rubik's Cube requires concentration and faithful attention to the detailed instructions in each part. It should take you about an hour to read the direction and solve the cube mechanically. However, if you repeat the process several times, you will begin to understand how and why each group of moves work. You may even develope your own approach to the solution.

We suggest that you memorise the groups of moves so that you learn to solve the cube without the directions. Once you can solve it on your own, the fun really begins as you try to do it faster and faster. Rubik's cube can be solved in 2 minutes flat, so have fun.

To solve the cube, you must understand first all of the component parts of the rubix cube and master a few basic moves.

1. THE CUBE

Basic Cube Parts - Rubik's Cube ia a deceptively innocent looking 2 and a quarter inch cube with over 3 billion possible colour combinations. It has 6 sides, 6 colours, and 26 smaller sub-cubes (see figure A).



There are 8 corner pieces with 3 colours, 12 middle edge pieces with 2 colours and centres with 1 colour each (see figure B). In the ultimate solution, each sub-cube has only one correct location.



2. PERSPECTIVES

First, to make sure we are looking at the cube in the same way we must agree what to call each side:





All turns are either 90 degrees (1 turn) or 180 degrees (2 turns).

3. COLOUR ALIGNMENT

Colour alignment is an important concept to understand, and it is illustrated in figures 3A and 3B. A completed cube (A) has all its pieces colour aligned.



Now imagine popping out one sub-cube, then putting it back in with its 2 colours reversed. This piece would now be in correct position but not colour aligned (see B below)

4. HOW IT WORKS

A. The cube can be manipulated by rotating rows vertically or horizontally, and just a few simple turns are required to produce a completely random pattern of colour.








B.a) The centre square on each side determines the colour of that side (see fig (A) below)




b) No matter how the colours are mixed, if you were to hold your thumb and forefinger on opposite centre pieces, they would show you which colours appear opposite each other on the cube, eg. if left centre is blue then right centre must be green. (see fig (B) below)



Note: This may vary from cube to cube since each cube may be labelled differently.

c) In order to solve a side you must move certain cubes from vertical to horizontal planes, to line up rows of 3 sub-cubes of the same colour. Note: one turn moves a sub-cube 3 places, and 2 turns will move it 6 places











5. THE OBJECTIVE

The objective is to return all 6 sides to their original solid colours, and there is lots of satisfying fun along the way as you solve one or more sides to create interesting new patterns of colour. Here are the levels of skill you can attain.

CLICK HERE FOR PART 1 AND START SOLVING!