Printable How To Solve A 2x2 Rubik's Cube

Hey there, friendo! Are you tired of staring at that confounding cube-thingy on your desk and wondering, “How in the world am I supposed to solve this thing?” Fear not, for I am about to bestow upon you the secrets to conquering the Rubik’s Cube!

Step One: Gather Your Tools

First things first, you’ll need a 2x2 Rubik’s Cube. Duh. Don’t have one? Go buy one! Or borrow one from a friend. Or steal one from your arch-nemesis. I don’t judge.

Step Two: Memorize the Patterns

Next up, you’ll need to memorize some patterns. This may sound daunting, but trust me, it’s not so bad. Start with these:

• R U R’ U'
• R’ F R F'
• U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L

Got those down? Good. You’ll be using them a lot.

Step Three: Get Your Game Face On

Now that you’ve got your cube and your patterns memorized, it’s time to get serious. Put on your best game face, crack your knuckles, and let’s get to solving!

Step Four: Start Solving!

Okay, here we go. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Hold the cube so that the white face is facing up.
2. Find the two corners that are opposite each other and have the same color. Turn the cube so that those corners are in the front and to your right.
3. Perform the first pattern above: R U R’ U'.
4. Turn the whole cube to the right so that the completed corner is in the back-right position.
5. Find two more opposite corners with the same color and repeat steps 2-4 until you have completed the first layer.
6. Hold the cube so that the completed layer is on the bottom and the unsolved layer is facing up.
7. Look for a corner piece on the unsolved layer that has no white on it. Turn the whole cube so that the unsolved corner is in the front-right position.
8. Perform the second pattern above: R’ F R F'.
9. Repeat steps 7-8 until the second layer is complete.
10. Hold the cube so that the completed bottom layer is on your left and the unsolved layer is facing up.
11. Find an edge piece on the unsolved layer that has no white on it. Turn the whole cube so that the unsolved edge is in the front-right position.
12. Perform the third pattern above: U R U’ L’ U R’ U’ L.
13. Repeat steps 11-12 until the cube is solved!

Step Five: Bask in Your Glory

Woohoo! Look at you, you smarty-pants. You just solved a Rubik’s Cube like it was no big deal. Take a victory lap around the room, do a little dance, and revel in your newfound glory.

Step Six: Teach Others

Now that you’re a Rubik’s Cube-solving wizard, it’s time to pass on your knowledge. Teach your friends, family, and pets (okay, maybe not your pets) how to solve the cube. Spread the joy of Rubik’s Cube-solving far and wide!

Step Seven: Keep Practicing

Just like with any skill, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Keep solving that cube over and over again until you can do it without even thinking about it. Challenge yourself by solving it blindfolded, with one hand behind your back, or while juggling flaming torches (okay, maybe don’t do that last one).

Step Eight: Go Forth and Conquer

Congratulations, my friend. You have officially conquered the Rubik’s Cube. Go forth and show the world who’s boss. And don’t forget to thank me in your acceptance speech when you win the Nobel Prize for Rubik’s Cube-solving.

Step Nine: Eat some Cake

Okay, you don’t actually have to eat cake. But you deserve a treat for all your hard work. So treat yo’self to something delicious. You earned it.

Step Ten: Get Back to Work

Alright, champ, it’s time to get back to work. You solved the Rubik’s Cube, but there are plenty of other puzzles out there waiting to be conquered. Who knows, maybe next time you’ll solve one using only the power of your mind. Okay, probably not, but it’s worth a shot!