Computer Proves Rubik’s Cube Can Be Completed In Under 26 Moves
A supercomputer in the US has proven that the Rubik’s cube can be completed in under 26 moves. The boffins behind the project reckon that if they had more time they could reduce the number of moves. Not bad, considering that there are 43 billion billion possible Rubik’s cube positions, more than enough to keep any current supercomputer occupied for a very, very long time.
The story made me laugh a bit as it reminded me of what would have been one of my greatest moments. In my infants school in the 1980s the teachers held a competition at Christmas when the Rubik’s cube came out, with a fiver going to the first student to complete the Rubik’s cube. I don’t think they really expected any of the kids to be able to do it because they couldn’t, but as a very bright seven-year old I could ‘finish’ the Cube, thanks to a written guide my twelve year-old brother had put together - I kid you not!
There was unfortunately one stage that I used to struggle with, which was turning over the middle four pieces on the last layer and no matter how hard I tried during the 10 minute competition, I couldn’t get them to naturally fall into the position where I could finish the cube. I still won the fiver as the teachers were amazed that I’d got so close, but it would have been so much better if I’d finished it.
What’s your best time for completing a Rubik’s cube?
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Comment by James on 21 August 2007:
Now you have got me thinking! I can’t remember ever completing a Rubik’s cube, now I don’t know if that was because I couldn’t do it or someone had removed all the stickers and put them back on in the wrong places to cheat (does it make a difference???).
I have just ordered a Rubik’s cube and will see if I can do it now that I’m a bit older and hopefully wiser!
Comment by Bush Mackel on 21 August 2007:
I’m with James! I don’t know if I’ve ever done it! Hm. Maybe I should go off to the the toy store and get busy!
Comment by Michael Repplinger on 21 August 2007:
[from the paper that proved the 26 move solution]
quite amazing. I didn’t know that basically not that much is proven about the Rubik’s cube, other than with a constructive proof, like those guys did. No one knows what’s the smallest number of moves you need to solve it.
Comment by Brown Baron on 21 August 2007:
I don’t think I’ve ever been able to complete it. Under 26 moves? I wish they had a video. That would have been fun to watch.
Comment by James on 24 August 2007:
I’ve got my Rubik’s cube now and playing with it last night just reminded me that I have never even got close to completing one before.
I’m gonna have to keep trying though as playing for 45 minutes probably isn’t long enough. It is frustrating though, I’m sure once you have done it once it becomes easy?!?
Comment by Everton on 24 August 2007:
Come on guys!! I used to be able to do it in 55 secs and I was under 10!!!
Comment by NLP Master on 3 September 2007:
I can finish a chess game in 30 to 40 moves. But a rubiks cube? Sigh. May as well work on a triple integration problem of a multipoint surface in a cartesian plane.
Comment by Everton on 3 September 2007:
Surely, that depends on the opponent?
Comment by NLP Master on 3 September 2007:
That’s true! Most of the fellas I play against are intermediate. The nice blokes you see at parks