More Than Fun and Games: Solving a Rubik’s Cube Using Matrices
Poster Number
21
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
The childhood puzzle called the Rubik’s Cube is more than a simple toy. The puzzle was invented in 1974 by the Hungarian interior design artist Erno Rubik, and soon became a worldwide fascination of children and adults alike. However, the Rubik’s cube is more than a simple game; it is actually a very precise and advanced mathematical puzzle. This project aims to use mathematical tools to study and solve a 2x2x2 Rubik’s cube. Each possible variation of the cube can be represented by a 24x24 mathematical model known as a matrix, and by using matrix multiplication to represent possible rotations of the cube, the 2x2x2 Rubik’s cube can be solved given any starting state
Location
Callison Hall
Start Date
6-5-2006 10:00 AM
End Date
6-5-2006 12:00 PM
More Than Fun and Games: Solving a Rubik’s Cube Using Matrices
Callison Hall
The childhood puzzle called the Rubik’s Cube is more than a simple toy. The puzzle was invented in 1974 by the Hungarian interior design artist Erno Rubik, and soon became a worldwide fascination of children and adults alike. However, the Rubik’s cube is more than a simple game; it is actually a very precise and advanced mathematical puzzle. This project aims to use mathematical tools to study and solve a 2x2x2 Rubik’s cube. Each possible variation of the cube can be represented by a 24x24 mathematical model known as a matrix, and by using matrix multiplication to represent possible rotations of the cube, the 2x2x2 Rubik’s cube can be solved given any starting state