Rubik's Revenge and beyond

Solving Big Cubes by Logic

3. Movement notation

According to the World Cube Association (WCA), the notation for cube movements follows the existing pattern used for 3x3x3 cubes. The only difference is that when indicating the rotation of more than two layers simultaneously, we write the number of layers before the notation. For example, to indicate the rotation of the three right layers in the R direction, we write 3Rw. When rotating two layers, the use of the number 2 is optional and unnecessary.

The direction of rotation continues to follow the same notation used for 3x3x3 cubes, with the addition of an apostrophe (') to indicate a rotation contrary to the right-hand rule. The number 2 following each type of movement still signifies a 180-degree turn. The table below displays the notations used for all possible moves based on the relative position of the layers.

The table also includes the notations used to rotate the entire cube. It is important to note that after a cube rotation, the notation for layer movements remains the same, as if the cube had not undergone any rotation.

Therefore, similar to the 3x3x3 cube, moving a single inner layer in the 6x6x6 and 7x7x7 cubes requires the use of two notations. For instance, to move only the layer indicated in Figure 3.1 of the 6x6x6 and 7x7x7 cubes in the same direction as R, it is necessary to write: 3Rw Rw' or 3Rw 2Rw'.

To ensure clarity, the examples presented in this guide will employ the standard R, L, U, D, F, B notation system, accompanied by the modifiers n, m, and c:

• The modifier n indicates that only the layer adjacent to the indicated external layer moves.

• The modifier m signifies that only the middle layer closest to the indicated outer layer is in motion.

• The modifier c indicates that the entire cube moves in the direction of the indicated layer.

This notation system simplifies the animations of the examples in this guide as it requires only a single movement to rotate any internal layer. Please refer to the example in Figure 3.2 for a visual demonstration.

App source: animcubejs.cubing.net/animcubejs.html