Q&A for How to Solve a Rubik's Cube Using Commutators

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  • Question
    What is an odd-numbered Rubik's cube?
    Timothy Huynh
    Timothy Huynh
    Rubik’s Cube Champion
    Timothy Huynh is a Rubik’s Cube Artist & Champion based in Tampa, Florida. Timothy has been solving Rubik's Cubes professionally since 2016 and became a Guinness World Record Holder with advanced Rubik's cube-solving skills. Timothy has a follower base of over 8.6 million YouTube subscribers and 124k followers on Instagram. Internet celebrities including David Dobrik and Simu Liu have sung his praises, and Pixar has deemed his work "incredible."
    Timothy Huynh
    Rubik’s Cube Champion
    Expert Answer
    In odd-numbered Rubik's cubes, the absence of a fixed center distinguishes them from their even-numbered counterparts. Fixed centers in a Rubik's cube dictate the identity of each face, providing instant clues for solving a scrambled cube. However, in even-number cubes like the 4x4 and 6x6, the centers are not stationary; they shift positions. Consequently, arranging centers incorrectly can render the cube unsolvable. Contrastingly, in a 5x5 cube, a fixed center remains, ensuring that incorrect center placements never occur. The presence of this stable center reference point facilitates solving by providing a reliable guide for aligning colors and solving the cube accurately.
  • Question
    What is the classic algorithm, not the layer method?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    There is no classic algorithm, because there are so many different combinations, each one with a different solution.
  • Question
    The cross isn't working for me, help?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try getting it done piece by piece. Find an edge, put it in the bottom, line it up with the corresponding center, and do F2 to place it properly.
  • Question
    I'm confused about how to do step 2. Can you explain it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Step two just involves making a cross using the same colors as the face you are trying to solve. To do this, you need to align the like color edge pieces with the center square.
  • Question
    I've practiced and searched for quicker ways, but my high score is 1:19. How do I get faster?
    CSICuber
    CSICuber
    Community Answer
    You should go and learn the CFOP method. Good tutorials include JPerm and Cubeskills. The CFOP method is the main speed solving method used by pros all over the world. With practice and determination, you can get faster.
  • Question
    What does F2 mean?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Capital letters like FBUDLR refer to the elementary Cube moves, rotating a specified side 90 degrees clockwise. F refers to the Front-facing side, and F2 means doing the F move twice, turn the front face 180 degrees.
  • Question
    Is this the beginner's method?
    Emcconnell
    Emcconnell
    Community Answer
    Commutators is an advanced technique, typically used in blindfolded solving methods. CFOP is considered the beginner's method for solving a Rubik's Cube.
  • Question
    What if I don't know how to solve a Rubik's Cube?
    Emcconnell
    Emcconnell
    Community Answer
    You can find many YouTube tutorials online. A popular video is by the user "JPerm," who covers the beginner's method of solving a Rubik's Cube. With a Rubik's Cube in hand, you can follow the tutorial and solve it quickly.
  • Question
    How do I make the cross on a Rubik's Cube?
    Emcconnell
    Emcconnell
    Community Answer
    To create the cross, choose a center color, usually white. Find the four edge pieces containing that color and align them with the center piece of the same color.
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