I got a Rubik's Cube when they first came out, never spent much time fiddling with it. I think it may still be lying around somewhere.
Then I bought the Singmaster book thinking that might get me interested. I never read the book. I think it may still be on one of my book shelves.
A few months ago, I stumbled across a web site with the solution to Rubik's Cube, so I downloaded the answer. So far, I haven't read it.
I think there's a trend developing here.
Originally posted by Mad RookYou never read the owners manuel do you?
I got a Rubik's Cube when they first came out, never spent much time fiddling with it. I think it may still be lying around somewhere.
Then I bought the Singmaster book thinking that might get me interested. I never read the book. I think it may still be on one of my book shelves.
A few months ago, I stumbled across a web site with the solution to Rub ...[text shortened]... ownloaded the answer. So far, I haven't read it.
I think there's a trend developing here.
I have an inflated 1344 rating on RHP. When I was about 12 or 14 I got a solution book. I could solve the cube fairly consistently in about 2-3 minutes and sometimes in 1-2 minutes.
I had had the cube for at least a few months before that, but hadn't ever tried a systematic approach, and couldn't get past solving one side.
I saw a solution on line recently which looks like it's much faster (not a layer-by-layer approach) but I don't have a cube or the time to try it out. (Easy to find various solutions for any of these puzzles on line.)
I can do:
3x3 in 40 seconds
4x4 in 2-3 minutes(More fragile and larger. Nearly broke one the first time I tried it.)
5x5 in 5-10 minutes(VERY FRAGILE and incredibly difficult to move fast and keep unbroken).
Currently a provisional 1400. The story for figuring these out: got bored when I was like 10 or 11. Figured out the 3x3 in a day, found the 4x4 a year or 2 later, and the 5x5 a year or so after that.
Originally posted by LordofADownI can solve it, though not too quickly (best time=1 min, avg. time =1:15) but I didn't figure it out. My friend showed me, and he got it off the internet.
I recently picked up a Rubik's cube and struggled with it for 3 days until finally cheating on the internet to find the solution, when I thought to myself about the immense amount of spatial intelligence it must take for someone to complete the puzzle on their own. Then, of course, I thought of chess and how important spatial intelligence and visualizat rying to see if there is any link to rating at all, thanks alot for looking 🙂
-LordofADown
Originally posted by TheQuinnOfAMSWell that's why I asked if anyone could solve it without 'cheating'. Cheating includes all of those methods you guys speak of.
Look, whoever started this thread. Rubik's cubes have a method to being solved and doesn't take excessive amounts of "visualization". So as long as you know the method it doesn't take large amounts of intelligence.
The real skill comes in when you're blindfolded
The ability to develop those methods on your own would definitely be impressive.
Originally posted by TheQuinnOfAMSblindfolded solving is not visualization either. just got to have a rediculous short term flexible memory. what i think they do is remember numbers in a row. all cubies are given a number in order of the lars petrus method (i think or atleast i would do it that method if i could) with each turn 8 numbers change so just got to put numbers in order whilst remembering all others. also, im guessing they have to remember whether each center is correct or flipped and if corner cubies need to turned clockwise, anti clockwise or are allready correct. so i guess about 56 pieces of information to remember and move about in your head!!!
Look, whoever started this thread. Rubik's cubes have a method to being solved and doesn't take excessive amounts of "visualization". So as long as you know the method it doesn't take large amounts of intelligence.
The real skill comes in when you're blindfolded
but for those of us who didnt cheat it does take quite some visualization. ive worked out some of my final layer orientations and permutations myself and it did take visualization! plus building a corner or solving the first layer cant be summarised in formulas so each time if you are trying to place more then one cube in the right place you have to think.
Originally posted by LordofADownI never completed the @%#$ thing!
I recently picked up a Rubik's cube and struggled with it for 3 days until finally cheating on the internet to find the solution, when I thought to myself about the immense amount of spatial intelligence it must take for someone to complete the puzzle on their own. Then, of course, I thought of chess and how important spatial intelligence and visualizat ...[text shortened]... rying to see if there is any link to rating at all, thanks alot for looking 🙂
-LordofADown
But, in my youth, I could throw it fair distance.