The Rubik's Cube, a puzzle that has fascinated and frustrated people for decades. With over 43 quintillion possible combinations, it's no wonder that solving it can seem like an impossible task. However, with the right instructions and a bit of practice, anyone can learn to solve the Rubik's Cube. In this article, we'll take you through a step-by-step guide on how to solve the Rubik's Cube with easy printable instructions.
Understanding the Rubik's Cube Notation
Before we dive into the instructions, it's essential to understand the notation used to describe the moves.
- F (Front): The side facing you
- B (Back): The side opposite the front
- U (Up): The top side
- D (Down): The bottom side
- L (Left): The left side
- R (Right): The right side
- x (rotate): Rotate the top layer (U) clockwise
- x' (rotate counter-clockwise): Rotate the top layer (U) counter-clockwise
- y (rotate middle layer): Rotate the middle layer (M) clockwise
- y' (rotate middle layer counter-clockwise): Rotate the middle layer (M) counter-clockwise
- z (rotate bottom layer): Rotate the bottom layer (D) clockwise
- z' (rotate bottom layer counter-clockwise): Rotate the bottom layer (D) counter-clockwise
Step 1: White Cross
The first step is to create a white cross on the top surface of the cube.
To do this, follow these moves:
- Hold the cube in front of you with the white cross facing upwards.
- If the white cross is not already solved, perform the following moves:
- U' (rotate top layer counter-clockwise)
- L (rotate left side clockwise)
- U (rotate top layer clockwise)
- L' (rotate left side counter-clockwise)
- Repeat the above moves until the white cross is solved.
Step 2: White Corners
Once the white cross is in place, focus on solving the white corners.
To solve the white corners, follow these moves:
- Hold the cube in front of you with the white cross facing upwards.
- If a white corner is not already in its correct position, perform the following moves:
- U' (rotate top layer counter-clockwise)
- R (rotate right side clockwise)
- U (rotate top layer clockwise)
- R' (rotate right side counter-clockwise)
- Repeat the above moves until all white corners are in their correct positions.
Step 3: Middle Layer
With the white cross and corners in place, focus on solving the middle layer.
To solve the middle layer, follow these moves:
- Hold the cube in front of you with the white cross facing upwards.
- If a middle layer edge is not already in its correct position, perform the following moves:
- y (rotate middle layer clockwise)
- U (rotate top layer clockwise)
- y' (rotate middle layer counter-clockwise)
- U' (rotate top layer counter-clockwise)
- Repeat the above moves until all middle layer edges are in their correct positions.
Step 4: Yellow Cross
With the middle layer solved, focus on creating a yellow cross on the bottom surface of the cube.
To create the yellow cross, follow these moves:
- Hold the cube in front of you with the white cross facing upwards.
- If the yellow cross is not already solved, perform the following moves:
- z (rotate bottom layer clockwise)
- R (rotate right side clockwise)
- z' (rotate bottom layer counter-clockwise)
- R' (rotate right side counter-clockwise)
- Repeat the above moves until the yellow cross is solved.
Step 5: Orientation of Last Layer
With the yellow cross in place, focus on orienting the last layer.
To orient the last layer, follow these moves:
- Hold the cube in front of you with the yellow cross facing upwards.
- If a last layer edge is not already in its correct orientation, perform the following moves:
- z (rotate bottom layer clockwise)
- U (rotate top layer clockwise)
- z' (rotate bottom layer counter-clockwise)
- U' (rotate top layer counter-clockwise)
- Repeat the above moves until all last layer edges are in their correct orientations.
Step 6: Permutation of Last Layer
With the last layer oriented, focus on permuting the last layer.
To permutate the last layer, follow these moves:
- Hold the cube in front of you with the yellow cross facing upwards.
- If a last layer edge is not already in its correct position, perform the following moves:
- z (rotate bottom layer clockwise)
- R (rotate right side clockwise)
- z' (rotate bottom layer counter-clockwise)
- R' (rotate right side counter-clockwise)
- Repeat the above moves until all last layer edges are in their correct positions.
Finalizing the Cube
With all the layers solved, you may need to make some final adjustments to ensure that all the pieces are in their correct positions.
To finalize the cube, follow these moves:
- Hold the cube in front of you with the yellow cross facing upwards.
- If any piece is not in its correct position, perform the following moves:
- U (rotate top layer clockwise)
- D (rotate bottom layer clockwise)
- U' (rotate top layer counter-clockwise)
- D' (rotate bottom layer counter-clockwise)
- Repeat the above moves until all pieces are in their correct positions.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now solved the Rubik's Cube using the easy printable instructions provided. Remember that practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if you don't get it right away. With time and patience, you'll be able to solve the Rubik's Cube with ease.
We hope this article has been helpful in teaching you how to solve the Rubik's Cube. If you have any questions or need further clarification on any of the steps, please don't hesitate to ask. Share your experiences and tips with us in the comments below!
What is the average time it takes to solve the Rubik's Cube?
+The average time it takes to solve the Rubik's Cube is around 20-30 seconds. However, this time can vary greatly depending on the individual's skill level and experience.
What is the fastest way to solve the Rubik's Cube?
+The fastest way to solve the Rubik's Cube is using the "F2L" (first two layers) method, which involves solving the first two layers before moving on to the final layer.
What are some common mistakes to avoid when solving the Rubik's Cube?
+Some common mistakes to avoid when solving the Rubik's Cube include not fully understanding the notation, not keeping track of the pieces, and not practicing regularly.