Rubicks Cube Math
Using the currently provided best algorithm for solving the cube for example would take the computer you re reading this on.
Rubicks cube math. The math of the rubik s cube by larry hardesty massachusetts institute of technology erik demaine s collection of rubik s cube type puzzles includes cubes with five six and seven squares to a. The simple rubik s cube is a harder problem than most people realize. Because xyx1y1 xy yx 1 which equals the identity when yx 1is the inverse of xy i e. The immediate math to be done with those numbers is the total number of ways you can scramble a rubik s cube.
Xyx1y1 1 exactly when x and y commute. Rubik s cube lends itself to the application of mathematical group theory which has been helpful for deducing certain algorithms in particular those which have a commutator structure namely xyx 1 y 1 where x and y are specific moves or move sequences and x 1 and y 1 are their respective inverses or a conjugate structure namely xyx 1 often referred to by speedcubers colloquially as a setup move. When yx xy thus the commutator of x and y measures the failure of x and y to commute. If x and y are two moves on rubik s cube theircommutatoris the move xyx1y1.
See if you can solve this famous puzzle in this great version by eric lin. Written in a more mathematical way that number is 3 8 8. Mathematically the rubik s cube is a permutation group. It has 6 different colors and each color is repeated exactly 9 times so the cube can be considered as an ordered list which has 54 elements with numbers between 1 and 6 each number meaning a color being repeated 9 times.
Play rubiks cube puzzle. Every element in g has an inverse g 1relative to the operation such that g g 1 g 1 g e.