Friday fun: The Rubik’s Cube November 21, 2014
Posted by mareserinitatis in math, younger son.Tags: friday fun, juggling, math, Rubik's cube
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As a freshman in college, I remember going to a toy and puzzles shop in Old Town Pasadena. I became engrossed in a 3D puzzle display. You know the horseshoes connected with chains that have a metal ring? That’s the kind of puzzles in the display. I spent an hour and a half looking for one I couldn’t solve because I decided that if I couldn’t solve it, I would actually buy it. An hour and a half later, I’d gone through almost 30 and the store owner was giving me the stink eye, so I left. My date was also rather annoyed, too, though apparently impressed with my puzzle skills.
The one puzzle I have never solved, however, is the Rubik’s cube. The younger son just received one about a week ago, so I decided to go ahead and buy him a book to solve it. I had one as a youngster, but was never able to solve it except through the brick removal-and-replacement method, which, while extremely efficient, kind of defeats the purpose. I’ve decided, however, that it’s about time I learn how to do it, so this will probably be something we can do together over Thanksgiving. I did some searching for a video tutorial, as well, and came across several as well as a lot of fun videos.
This was one of my favorites, and it makes me wonder what are some other unusual ways that people solve Rubik’s cubes. While I think I could feasibly do it one-handed (at some point), juggling with the other hand is probably out. I’ll have to see what the younger son thinks his chances are.
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