Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
A Simple Complexity
Created as a teaching toy twenty years ago, Erno Rubik's cube quickly became a popular toy that entertained, challenged, and confounded
millions of people. The cube consists of a core and attached outer cubes designed to allow rotation on three axes. Rubik's cube can be used
to study permutations and algorithms, as well as serving as a test for artificial intelligence systems to learn and develop their own algorithm.
Three distinct types of movements can help players solve the cube.
Introduction
There exists a simple toy that captures the interest of countless people, regardless of age, gender, or education, a toy that requires no
batteries or electricity and costs only a few dollars to produce. What type of toy could possibly encompass all of these elements? The
answer is deceptively simple: a cube.
Erno Rubik's cube has sparked curiosity around the world for nearly a generation. Individuals of all ages have spent weeks trying to solve
the puzzles. Those who succeed often spend even more time trying to create new patterns in the colors of the cube. Professors have written
entire papers totally dedicated to the mathematics behind the cube.
So, what exactly is the cube? Rubik's cube is an engineering marvel that demonstrates mathematic and computer science concepts. This
paper will discuss the origin of the cube, the engineering principles at work in the cube, and simple techniques that can ultimately solve
Rubik's puzzling toy.
Rubik's Mechanics
It is difficult to understand the mechanics of the cube without first understanding the component parts. Rubik's cube consists of two distinct
components: the core and the outer cubes. The shape of the core can be envisioned as a central cube with six attached octagons, one on
each face. Each octagon is attached to allow free rotation in either direction.
The face of each octagon is parallel to the face of the imaginary central cube.
The eight sides of each octagon are perpendicular to that imaginary cube.
These will be referred to as the sides of the octagon.
Attached to this core piece are the outer cubes, of which there are three
types: the sides, the edges, and the corners. There are a total of six side
pieces, each has only one visible face in the final construction of the cube.
Each side piece attaches to one of the octagons of the core; side pieces are
Together, these twenty-six pieces make up Rubik's cube. The extensions connect tightly to the octagons of the
core, which allow it to lock to the adjacent pieces. Because each octagon can rotate, the edges of the cube can
be rotated from their original position. When one of the core's octagons turns, it rotates the nine connected
outer cubes with it. As rotation occurs, these cubes are locked with each other and the core. After sufficient
specific rotation, the cube can be returned to its original shape, though not its original position. After just a few random rotations of different
sides, the colors of the edges and corners may be very well scrambled.
Solving Rubik's cube by reading step-by-step instructions is too easy. It takes the challenge out of the cube, and with it, the fun. Instead of
listing out steps to solve the puzzle, try these three different moves that help in solving the puzzle by switching or adjusting different pieces.
Adjusting a piece means to rotate the direction a color faces on a piece. Switching pieces refers to swapping the position of two different
pieces. A row is one of the three horizontal divisions of the cube. A column is one of the three vertical divisions of the cube.
Move #1 -- a move to adjust two consecutive edge pieces (alters nothing else)
1. Hold the cube so that the two edge pieces being adjusted are vertical on the top face
2. Rotate the center column up
3. Rotate the top row left
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 two more times
5. Rotate the top row left
6. Rotate the center column down.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 two more times
8. Rotate the top row left two times.
Move #2 -- a move to adjust three corners of a face (alters adjacent edge pieces)
1. Hold the cube so that the corners are facing you and the unaltered corner is to the top right
2. Rotate the top row right
3. Rotate the forward face clockwise twice
4. Rotate the top row left
5. Rotate the forward face clockwise
6. Rotate the top row right
7. Rotate the forward face clockwise
8. Rotate the top row left
Move #3 -- a move to switch the positions of three edges on the same plane (alters nothing else)
1. Hold the cube so that the plane to be altered is the center column
2. Position the fourth edge in the plane to the bottom position away from you on the cube
3. Rotate the center column up
4. Rotate the top row left twice
5. Rotate the center column down
6. Rotate the top row left twice
Conclusion
Erno Rubik's cube has undoubtedly sparked the interest of anyone who has handled it. This single cube has inspired professors to write
papers and articles. It has inspired mathematicians to calculate its every characteristic. It has demonstrated mathematics and computer
science concepts to students. It has brought entertainment to countless people across the globe. Whether inspiring amusement, thought, or
bewilderment, Erno Rubik's cube has riddled the world for an entire generation, and could do so for many more.
Bibliography
Bellis, Mary. Rubik and the Cube. 19 Mar. 2002
Billard, Aude. Class lecture. Computer Science 499. University of Southern California. Hedco Neurological Building. 5 Mar. 2002.
"Brief History of the Cube." Rubik's Online. 20 Mar. 2002
Joyner, W.D. "Lecture Notes on the Mathematics of Rubik's Cube." 20 Mar. 2002.
Miller, David Lee Winston. "Solving Rubik's Cube." 19 Mar. 2002
"The Novelty Toy Hall of Fame." Maxim Apr. 2001: 146-147 "Rubik, Erno" Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 20
Mar. 2002. Search: Rubik, Erno
Back to the Top | Print This Article | Close Window