Rubik's Cube Theory: Commutators

In this video I teach you about commutators, which are sets of moves that only change very small parts of the cube. All of these things are intuitive and derivable, and there are no mentions of algorithms. After understanding this video, you will most likely be able to intuitively solve the entire rubik's cube :)

-----------------------------------------
JUST TO CLARIFY:
I don't expect anyone to understand in 10 minutes what took me 2 weeks to understand. The aim of this video was to get you interested, and hopefully give you a quick overview of what is possible. As long as you understand the general concept of commutators and how they work, my task is done and I'm happy :)
-----------------------------------------

links to good websites that talk about commutators:
http://www.ryanheise.com/cube/commutators.html
http://solvethecube.110mb.com/commutators.html
commutators + a lot of other crazy facts about the cube:
http://www.geocities.com/jaapsch/puzzles/theory.htm#conjug

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• rubik's
• cube
• rubix
• commutator
• commutators
• theory
• tutorial
• how
• to

[jaibhakti]

I love the last one you did...with the center square moving. That's SO cool looking!

How long have you been cubing?

Are you a mathmatician by trade?

[badmephisto]

@jaibhakti I've been cubing for more than 2, maybe almost 3 years :) And no, I'm something much better: Computer Scientist.

[uNamed2lyfe]

this may sound weird...but im not sure why M' is moving the middle layer away from u.....

if u move the M layer away from u, ur moving it in a clockwise manner if u look at it from the 'R' perspective, and its counter clockwise if u look at it from the 'L' perspective....

wht perspective do u take....?

[badmephisto]

it should be from R's perspective by convention. M is like R in direction

[uNamed2lyfe]

ok, so if M is like R, then how come M' is also like R.

in ur vid, when u were showing this weird algorithm that switches the edge piece on the D layer.. that weird M' U2 M.....

for the M', u moved the middle layer away, as if moving the right side clockwise.

u get it?

i understand that the M layer should be from R's perspective, and M is like R in direction, but in ur vid at 1:39, u moved the middle layer away from u for M'.....

thts wht i dont get....

im really confused....

[badmephisto]

ok maybe i made a mistake somewhere. M is like R, end of story.

[badmephisto]

ok actually wait i may be confused. The thing is that people use it both ways and we all get confused on what the RIGHT way is. I think I used more the convention that M is like R' actually if I remember correctly now. So lets go with that :D

I know its a mess

[yomister3281]

Im just wondering how i would apply the commutators to solving the Rubik's cube intuitively. Im having trouble being able to recognize patterns and how the stickers rotate. Does that just come with practice? Great tutorial btw, i love your videos man I watch them daily.

[TheWolffBeast]

Thanks for the great Video - I've been trying to swap two corner pieces, with no real success - is it possible using commutators to DIRECTLY solve two corners or do you have to create a three corner cycle to accomplish this?

[lazercrocdt]

Badmephisto is by far the best Rubik's cube teacher on Youtube. You are awesome.

[jkid1134]

@Animationnnnn Algorithms you don't have to memorize.

[Animationnnnn]

So commutators = Algorithms + Setup Moves?

[ikzelf100]

dude you just made my fucking day, i was busy on solving mine own cube in my own way. and that second algorithm that you teach is that lat one i need to solve mijn cube because i always end up with 2 edges flipped.

[jaibhakti]

@badmephisto: I was expecting you to say you've been cubing since you were 10 years old--haha. My god: you've mastered the cube in such a short time...well done!

Ok...a computer scientist: perhaps that explains your supreme knowledge and in depth understanding of algorithms?

May I please say once more: your videos are brilliant. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Could you make a video that explains what the heck 'n' is with regard to algebra??? I just don't get it! It eludes me! :)

[KapustaCuber]

M follows L.

[heshaaamtube]

Good lesson. Thank you.