Understanding and Solving the Rubik's Cube Without Algorithms
The standard Rubik's Cube consists of 26 external (visible) pieces, which can be classified into three different types: centers, corners, and edges. Please refer to Figures 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 for visual representations.
The centers have only one visible face and are therefore associated with a single color.
The edges have two visible faces, each displaying a different color.
The corners have three visible faces, each displaying a distinct color.
Key Knowledge: It's important to note that centers remain centers, edges remain edges, and corners remain corners.
This means that edges can only swap places with other edges, and corners can only swap places with other corners. You can observe and verify this by interacting with the cubes in Figures 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4. To rotate the cubes, click and drag with the left mouse button on the cube's background or its layers (click on the facelets). You can also use the navigation bar buttons to animate the cubes. However, the centers are an exception. They never change their positions relative to each other because they are connected by an internal piece within the cube that only allows them to rotate. No matter how much you rotate the cube's layers, the centers always maintain the same relative positions. Feel free to try rotating the cube layers in Figure 2.2.
Therefore, in a standard Rubik's Cube, the yellow center is always opposite to the white center, the red center is always opposite to the orange center, and the blue center is always opposite to the green center.
Key Knowledge: The centers always maintain their relative positions to each other.
App source: animcubejs.cubing.net/animcubejs.html