Abstract

The Rubik’s cube is a puzzle formed from a 3 × 3 × 3 cube and 6 different colors. The way the cube operates and the puzzle that it creates, can be explained using mathematics. To be able to talk about the mathematics behind the Rubik’s cube, we introduce some important concepts in Group Theory and then see how these concepts directly effect the workings of the cube. We discuss at one solution, called The Layer Method, and how the algorithm uses the ideas of Group Theory. We also discuss the concept of God’s Number and how a solution for the idea was found.

Advisor

Bowen, Jennifer

Department

Mathematics

Keywords

The Rubik's Cube, Group Theory

Publication Date

2017

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2017 Tori L. McCoy