The Rubik’s Cube 6×6 is a popular puzzle that is sold all over the world. It can be solved in a variety of ways and is a great challenge for both beginners and advanced cubers.
Each cube consists of 96 center pieces, 48 edge pieces and eight corner pieces. Each piece shows a unique color combination.
Colors
The cube consists of 26 small cubes that rotate on a central axis; nine coloured cube faces, in three rows of three each, form each side of the puzzle.
As with the 3×3 cube, the colors are not fixed on the middles of the cube, so they can change their positions during the solution process. It is therefore important to correctly identify the relative position of the colors in each center.
When the cube is solved, each center shows one color; edge pieces show two colors, and corner pieces show three colors. Quartets of edge pieces show a unique color combination, but not all combinations are present.
This cube has 157 decillion possible permutations. It is a more difficult puzzle to solve than the 3×3 cube, since it has no fixed facets. There are many methods for solving the cube, and some of them are faster than others. Some of them involve matching up quartets of edge pieces into solid strips and resolving the 96 face centers.
Size
Rubik’s cubes come in a variety of sizes, with the 6×6 being the largest option. It is also the hardest-to-solve size, which makes it a great challenge for speed solvers.
The 6×6 has 96 center pieces, 48 edges and eight corner pieces that each show a different color. Any permutation of these pieces is possible, including odd permutations.
It is also possible to solve the puzzle blindfolded. In fact, the world record is held by a Chinese player, Yusheng Du, who solved the cube in 3.47 seconds.
This cube has 157 decillion possible permutations, which is a staggering number! It is also one of the smallest cubes that has edge parity, which means that it looks similar to a smaller even-order cube (such as a 4×4 or 3×3 cube).
Rubik’s cubes are available in many different colors, with red, orange, yellow, blue and green options. Some use colored stickers on individual movable squares, while others are solid tiles. Some include extras, such as a stand or solution guide.
Weight
The weight of a Rubik’s cube 6×6 depends on several factors. The most important is the mechanism and how it’s manufactured. There are a few different types of mechanisms and many different manufacturers make this puzzle.
Some manufacturers use a screw/spring structure that provides good corner cutting and stability. Such as Shantou Chenghai Diansheng Toys Co. Ltd.
Another type of mechanism is a magnetic system that improves the turning feel and performance. For example, YJ’s MGC 6×6 uses 144 magnets to ensure accurate positioning and strong magnetic fields.
This type of structure is not as sturdy as the Eastsheen’s screw/spring mechanism, but it’s better for beginner solvers.
The 3x3x3 has about 3,000,000,000 combinations but only one solution (this number is based on how it’s counted). That number is almost as large as the universe. So it’s understandable that some people think this puzzle is impossible to solve. However, this is not true! It’s very easy to learn how to solve this puzzle. Even if you’re not very good at solving it.
Rotation
A cube can be rotated along its face axes using permutation cycles. These cycle permutations specify the rotation of individual cube parts, such as corners and edges, or the rotations of the entire cube.
A clockwise 90-degree twist of a face is specified by a letter. Which usually includes a prime symbol (‘) followed by the word “R” or “R'”. An anticlockwise turn of a face is specified by an inversion operator ‘.
Each face of a Rubik’s cube shows a different coloured pattern, with a single colour in the center. And a contrasting colour on each edge. However, not all combinations are possible. For example, the yellow face can be flipped, or red and orange faces can be swapped.
When the puzzle is solved, each of its six centre pieces will show a different colour. This is because they are each marked with nine stickers. However, the orientations of each centre do matter in determining the final position of each piece. This makes solving the puzzle more challenging.
Rotation
A cube can be rotated along its face axes using permutation cycles. These cycle permutations specify the rotation of individual cube parts, such as corners and edges, or the rotations of the entire cube.
A clockwise 90-degree twist of a face is specified by a letter. Which usually includes a prime symbol (‘) followed by the word “R” or “R'”. An anticlockwise turn of a face is specified by an inversion operator ‘.
Each face of a Rubik’s cube shows a different coloured pattern, with a single colour in the center. And a contrasting colour on each edge. However, not all combinations are possible. For example, the yellow face can be flipped, or red and orange faces can be swapped.
When the puzzle is solved, each of its six centre pieces will show a different colour. This is because they are each marked with nine stickers. However, the orientations of each centre do matter in determining the final position of each piece. This makes solving the puzzle more challenging.
Rotation
A cube can be rotated along its face axes using permutation cycles. These cycle permutations specify the rotation of individual cube parts, such as corners and edges, or the rotations of the entire cube.
A clockwise 90-degree twist of a face is specified by a letter. Which usually includes a prime symbol (‘) followed by the word “R” or “R'”. An anticlockwise turn of a face is specified by an inversion operator ‘.
Each face of a Rubik’s cube shows a different coloured pattern, with a single colour in the center. And a contrasting colour on each edge. However, not all combinations are possible. For example, the yellow face can be flipped, or red and orange faces can be swapped.
When the puzzle is solved, each of its six centre pieces will show a different colour. This is because they are each marked with nine stickers. However, the orientations of each centre do matter in determining the final position of each piece. This makes solving the puzzle more challenging.
