Introduction
Cube notation, also known as Rubik's Cube notation, is a standardised way to represent the moves and rotations performed on a Rubik's Cube. It uses letters and symbols to describe the different moves, allowing cubers to communicate and share algorithms across different solving methods and languages. In this tutorial, we'll learn how to read cube notation step by step and understand what each symbol represents.
1. Basic Moves
- U : Rotate the top layer of the cube clockwise by 90 degrees.
- U' (U prime): Rotate the top layer of the cube counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
- D : Rotate the bottom layer of the cube clockwise by 90 degrees.
- D' (D prime): Rotate the bottom layer of the cube counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
- L : Rotate the left layer of the cube clockwise by 90 degrees.
- L' (L prime): Rotate the left layer of the cube counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
- R : Rotate the right layer of the cube clockwise by 90 degrees.
- R' (R prime): Rotate the right layer of the cube counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
- F : Rotate the front layer of the cube clockwise by 90 degrees.
- F' (F prime): Rotate the front layer of the cube counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
- B : Rotate the back layer of the cube clockwise by 90 degrees.
- B' (B prime): Rotate the back layer of the cube counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
2. Double Moves
- U2: Rotate the top layer of the cube 180 degrees (2 half-turns).
- D2: Rotate the bottom layer of the cube 180 degrees (2 half-turns).
- L2: Rotate the left layer of the cube 180 degrees (2 half-turns).
- R2: Rotate the right layer of the cube 180 degrees (2 half-turns).
- F2: Rotate the front layer of the cube 180 degrees (2 half-turns).
- B2: Rotate the back layer of the cube 180 degrees (2 half-turns).
3. Slice Moves
- M (Middle): Rotate the middle layer (between the left and right faces) clockwise by 90 degrees.
- M' (Middle prime): Rotate the middle layer counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
- E (Equator): Rotate the equator layer (between the top and bottom faces) clockwise by 90 degrees.
- E' (Equator prime): Rotate the equator layer counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
- S (Standing): Rotate the standing layer (between the front and back faces) clockwise by 90 degrees.
- S' (Standing prime): Rotate the standing layer counterclockwise by 90 degrees.
4. Cube Rotations
- x: Rotate the entire cube on the x-axis (right face to the left and left face to the right).
- y: Rotate the entire cube on the y-axis (up face to the down and down face to the up).
- z: Rotate the entire cube on the z-axis (front face to the back and back face to the front).
Conclusion
Understanding cube notation is essential for learning algorithms and communicating with other cubers. By following this tutorial, you've learned how to read and interpret cube notation symbols for individual moves, double moves, slice moves, and cube rotations. With practice, you'll be able to perform and understand various algorithms, taking your Rubik's Cube solving skills to new heights.