Solving the Rubik’s Cube: Beginner Solution

This Rubik’s cube solution uses ‘algorithms’. An algorithm is a series of steps to

get from one position to a another.

First, Let’s Get Familiar with the Cube…

A flat surface on a cube is

called a ‘face’. These are the
faces we need to know:
The Front and Right faces will
change often while you are
solving, however the bottom
face is always white-centered,
and the top face is always
yellow-centered.

The cube is three levels high. We will be solving it from the bottom up.
Notice which pieces are called edges (have only 2 colors) and which are
corners (have 2 colors)
Using Numbers to Show How to Turn the Cube
This is a numerical system which I believe is highly preferable to the system common on the
internet. It was invented by my cousin while waiting in line at Six Flags.

Practice turning your cube while saying the numbers!

Ross Method™-Number System

Front Face Clockwise Front Face

1 (right)
2 Counter-
clockwise (left)

Top Face
Top Face Clockwise Counter-
3 (right) 4 clockwise (left)

Right Face
Right Face Clockwise Counter-
5 (turn back) 6 clockwise
(turn fwd

Rear Face
Counter-
Rear Face Clockwise (if
clockwise
7 you were looking at it
from the back
8 (if you were
looking at it from
the back
NOW LET’S SOLVE THAT CUBE!
Step 1: First Layer Edges
“THE WHITE CROSS” and “THE WHITE CROSS EXTENDED”

No algorithms, just the fun of figuring

out how to get a white cross on the
bottom. Then figure out how to make
the cross extend to match colors
middle of side faces as shown to the
right. It should be extended to match
on all four sides.

From this point, white is always on the bottom, even though you may turn the cube to change
the side faces as needed.
Step 2: First Level Corners
Find a white corner piece and turn the top layer to position it over
the place where it needs to fit as shown to the right:

Examples:

If the needed piece is misplaced on the bottom, move it to top and then proceed.

State Description Algorithm

Situation 1: if the white 3,5,4,6
side of corner piece is
facing you

Situation 2: if the white 5,3,6

side of the corner piece is
facing to the right

Situation 3: if the white 5,4,6,4,4 then 5,3,6

side of the corner piece is
facing up

Work until you have all four bottom corner pieces placed correctly. Now it looks like this:
Step 3: Second Level Edges
Turn the top layer so that one of the edges lines up with one of the
middles.
State Description Algorithm
Case 1: Lines up with 4,2,3,1, 3,5,4,6
color on the right side,
needs to move as shown

Case 2: Lines up with 3,5,4,6, 4,2,3,2,

color on the left side,
needs to move as shown

Do one of the above

Case 3: The piece is in algorithms to remove it.
position but backwards Then see which case you
have and proceed

Work until you have all four second level edge pieces placed correctly. Now it looks like this:
Step 4: Third Level Edges
Look at your cube from the top. Decide which state your cube is
in…we only care about the top view right now. You can turn the
whole cube in your hand, don’t worry about keeping the same
front face.

State View of Top Description Algorithm

This is the ‘cross’. That’s the goal. Its ok to
State 1 have more yellows with the cross. When
you have this move on to step 5

This is called the

State 2 “Backward L”.
1,3,5,4,6,2
Hold the cube so that
the “backward L” is in
the top left as it is in
the picture. If there
are more yellows with
the “L” that’s ok
This is called the 1,5,3,6,4,2
State 3 “bar”. Hold the cube
so the bar is
sideways. If more
yellows are present *notice the similarity of
that’s ok. the two algorithms
This is anything else. Use either of
State 4 Perform the
algorithm to achieve the above
one of the above algorithms
states, then do the
algorithm for that
state
Step 5: Third Level Top
State View from Description Algorithm
above
State 1 I call this “Fish 5,3,3,6
Swimming Upstream”
Turn so yellow is on 4,5,4,6
top left of front face

State 2 I call this “Fish *5,3,6,3,

Swimming
Downstream” 5,3,3,6
Turn so yellow is on
top right of front face

If you don’t have state 1 or 2, then you have one of those below. The algorithms
for these will get you to state 1 or 2, then perform one of those algorithms
State 3: If you have only the *5,3,6,3,
cross and no other
yellows on top, turn 5,3,3,6
the whole cube so
that a yellow DOES
NOT appear on the
top left of front face
as shown
State 4 If you have more *5,3,6,3,
than the cross, turn
(variations) the whole cube so 5,3,3,6
that a yellow appears *notice this
on the top left of
algorithm is used
front.
often on this step.
Just make sure the
cube in the right
position
Step 6: Third Level Corners
Turn the top level until you can
make it so that a rear left corner
needs to be in the front right
corner, while at the same time the
front left is matching up

Now perform algorithm:

3,3,7,7, 3,1,6,7,7, 5,2,5

Now your cube should look like this:

If not try again…

Step 7: Third Level Edges
• If there is
one face solved, make that the left face:
• If there all four edges are out
of place, just do the algorithm for either state. Then you will
have to perform one of the algorithms again depending on its
state.
State 1 With solved face 5,5,3,1,
on left, If the 8,5,5,2,
front edge needs 7,3,5,5
to move to rear

State 2 With solved face 5,5,4,1,

on left, If the rear 8,5,5,2,
edge needs to 7,4,5,5
move to front

Congratulations! You have solved your Rubik’s Cube. Becoming fluent with this
method can produce solution times of about 2 minutes. To be faster (1 minute or
less), I recommend learning the F2L method (Friedrich Second Layer) which
combines steps 2 and 3 and required NO NEW ALGORITHMS. I use the F2L to
replace steps 2,3 and then return to my own step 4 -8 (this produces average
solution times of about 1 min). You really need a video to explain F2L, the best of
which is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-xbcAMfWwM

Also for help with speed on step1: white cross extended see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY_FbpdNRCQ&feature=user
BEGINNERS SOLUTION QUICK REFERENCE:

STEP 1: White Cross Extended

STEP 2: facing forward 3,5,4,6 facing right 5,3,6 facing up 5,4,6,4,4

STEP 3: from right 4,2,3,1, 3,5,4,6 from left 3,5,4,6,4,2,3,2

Step 4: “Backward L”shape 1,5,3,6,4,2 “Bar” shape 1,3,5,4,6,2

Step 5: fish up 5,3,6,3,5,3,3,6 fish down 5,3,3,6,4,5,4,6

Step 6: 3,3,7,7, 3,1,6,7,7, 5,2,5

Step 7: Front to Back 5,5,3,1,8,5,5,2,7,3,5,5 Back to Front 5,5,4,1,8,5,5,2,7,4,5,5

You will find that with experience, the move sequences will become natural and
the numbers will not need to be used for very long.