Rubik’s Cube – Dr. Jessica Fridrich and the Mathematics Behind the Popular Puzzle

by Bill Lombard on 3 January, 2009

Rubik's Speed Cubing - from the New York Times

Rubik's Speed Cubing - from the New York Times

Dr. Jessica Fridrich likes to tackle problems that might seem impossible to others. Rubik’s Cube is an example. She has created what is possibly the world’s most common strategy for speed-solving the popular puzzle, and is the subject of a YouTube video.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwojxzhSlWA

The Fridrich Method deals with more than 50 algorithms, which are rotations of the cube, and herein lies the mathematics of her method. Many of the world’s fastest speedcubers know more than 100 methods, and can solve a scrambled cube in mere seconds.

Here’s the link to the New York Times article about Dr. Fridrich.

To receive all new posts – subscribe via email or RSS Web Feed.

Mr. L’s cursive signature

Related posts:

  1. Martin Gardner – For Decades, Puzzling People With Mathematics
  2. Games and Puzzles that Reach the Kids and Teach the Standards
  3. GeoGebra has just received the prestigious Tech Award

Leave a Comment

Previous post: Alltop – Top Math News is an Online Magazine Rack of Popular Topics

Next post: Fourteen Factors of a Successful Algebra Program – by Brad Fulton