Solving Rubik's Cube

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Beyond the 5x5x5

Believe it or not, once you've mastered the 3x3x3 cube, the 4x4x4 cube and the 5x5x5 cube, you'll have learned all the sequences needed to master any regular variant of the Rubik's cube. By "regular" I mean any cube that has the same number of divisions along all three axes.

Cubes with an even number of divisions have the same characteristics as a 4x4x4 cube. Cubes with an odd number of divisions have the same characteristics as a 5x5x5 cube.

Oh sure, there are more sub-cubes to deal with and therefore a larger number of potential permutations but you don't need to know any new moves, you just need a little more patience.

I've used these moves to solve a virtual 9x9x9 cube (computer generated). It took more time but it didn't offer any new challenges.

Try one of these on for size.

Oh, and those little 2x2x2 cubes? They're hardly worth mentioning since all they are is corners.

But there are still a few more interesting challenges to be had. Try solving an irregular cube such as a 2x2x3 cube or a 2x3x3 cube.

Or try solving the good old Pyraminx puzzle: a Rubik's Cube-like puzzle shaped like a pyramid. It's significantly easier than the Rubik's Cube.

How about the old Megaminx puzzle? It's a dodecahedron shaped puzzle with faces shaped like pentagrams. This one's significantly harder than the Rubik's Cube. In fact I never have managed to solve it and the stickers on my 1980's era model are falling off. Of course since mine's been broken for decades it's been a while since I've tried it so perhaps I just remember it being harder.

How about the Rainbow Cube? This one rotates on four axes instead of three and it's much easier than even the Pyraminx.

And then there's Square-1. At first glance, this irregularly divided cube looks like it would be more difficult than the Rubik's Cube but it turns out to be quite a bit easier.

The list goes on. But for all the odd variations on this theme, I have to say that none has given me nearly as much enjoyment as the original 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube.