firefox109
Regular
on a scale to 1-10 how hard is it to learn a 4x4x4 and a 5x5x5 compared to how hard it was to learn a 3x3x3? why do some people say it is easier to learn to solve a 5x5x5 than a 4x4x4?
How hard is it to learn how to solve 4x4x4 and 5x5x5?
- Thread starter firefox109
- Start date
byu
Veteran
Assuming 3x3 is 5
4x4 is 6
If you know 4x4, 5x5 is 2.
4x4 is 6
If you know 4x4, 5x5 is 2.
Zarxrax
Veteran
4x4x4 isn't too hard.
You need to build the centers. This can be done fairly intuitively without algorithms, but might take some practice to get used to.
Then you pair up edges. This can also be done intuitively.
Next you solve it similar to how you solve a 3x3x3.
Finally, you have to worry about parity. This is when some pieces will be flipped the wrong way. This requires learning a handful of rather long algorithms.
That's about all there is to it.
I don't have a 5x5x5, but I think its similar, but doesn't have the parity problem (so thus easier).
You need to build the centers. This can be done fairly intuitively without algorithms, but might take some practice to get used to.
Then you pair up edges. This can also be done intuitively.
Next you solve it similar to how you solve a 3x3x3.
Finally, you have to worry about parity. This is when some pieces will be flipped the wrong way. This requires learning a handful of rather long algorithms.
That's about all there is to it.
I don't have a 5x5x5, but I think its similar, but doesn't have the parity problem (so thus easier).
Last edited:
Thieflordz5
Regular
I would say 4x4 if you have a good teacher (unlike me... LOL) is a 5 (assuming 3x3 is 3...)
and the 5x5 is maybe a 6 because of the corner centers...
and the 5x5 is maybe a 6 because of the corner centers...
byu
Veteran
5x5 has the Orientation Parity problem, but you know about it right away, and fix it before you start 3x3.
AndyK
Premium Member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2009
- Messages
- 173
I would have to say that compared to learning Fridrich or any comparable algorithms set for the 3x3x3, adding the extra algs needed to solve the 4x4x4 and 5x5x5 is an absolute breeze. There are basically only 4 more algorithms that you need to know for the 4x4x4 and 3 (plus maybe 2 more if you can't figure those out) for the 5x5x5.
Check out my printable guides for each, they should make the memorization more convenient:
4x4x4
5x5x5
(sorry for the shameless plug)
Check out my printable guides for each, they should make the memorization more convenient:
4x4x4
5x5x5
(sorry for the shameless plug)
That70sShowDude
Veteran
4x4s and 5x5s are just a little harder than a 3x3, the only extra things you have to know on them are the centers and edge pairing ... although, 4x4s have parity, which you would need to know a couple extra algs, this is because it has an even number of cubes on each side (parity on 4x4 and 6x6)
brunson
Veteran
If you have to ask, it's too hard.
Ellis
Veteran
It's easier.
4x4: -4
5x5: -3
Learning a 3x3 when you know nothing is significantly harder than learning a 4x4 when you know how to solve a 3x3.
4x4: -4
5x5: -3
Learning a 3x3 when you know nothing is significantly harder than learning a 4x4 when you know how to solve a 3x3.
Last edited:
soccerking813
Veteran
Learning the 4x4 is very easy actually. Just watch a video about edge pairing and center solving, and remember a couple of algs. 5x5 is even easier if you know how to solve a 4x4. I solved it a couple of times without looking up the parity alg.
TMOY
Veteran
Figuring out how to solve big cubes was actually very easy for me. Corners and first 8 edges worked the exact same way as on 3^3. Last 4 edges were a little trickier but still manageable. Finally centers needed only a few basic commutators. And what parity ? 
Stefan
Legend
But... this thread asks how hard it is to learn, not how hard it is to solve.
shoot1510
Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2008
- Messages
- 282
- Location
- Somewhere in New Jersey
- WCA ID
- 2009TOLO01
- YouTube
- Visit Channel
If you know how to solve a Rubik's cube. Then, you can possibly solve a 4x4.
You need to know how to know the centers, connect the edges, and some of the oll & pll parity.
Good luck learning it.
You need to know how to know the centers, connect the edges, and some of the oll & pll parity.
Good luck learning it.
alifiantoadinugroho
Regular
If you can solve 3x3, learning 4x4 is piece of cake (according to my personal experience). Only a few new algorithm to learn from 4x4. For solving center you can do it intuitively
AvGalen
Premium Member
How many algs?
At most, I can imagine these (assuming reduction):
4x4x4: OLL-Parity, PLL-Parity
5x5x5: "OLL-Parity"
Why would you say it would be
4x4x4: 4 more algs
5x5x5: 3 more algs (and maybe even 2 more)
Assuming a complete cube-noob:
3x3x3: 2 hours
4x4x4: 1.5 more hours
5x5x5: 0.5 more hours
If you can make someone sit still and concentrated for 2 hours it wouldn't be very hard to make them sit still for 2 more hours so I would say that the difficulty-level would be:
3x3x3: 9
4x4x4: 9.2
5x5x5: 9.25
Last edited:
kaixax555
Regular
Assuming 3x3 has a difficulty rating of 5/10:
4x4: 7/10
5x5: 7/10
Basically, they are quite easy, but not as easy, nor as difficult as people would expect.
I will throw in the difficulty of 2x2 just for kicks.
2x2: 5/10
4x4: 7/10
5x5: 7/10
Basically, they are quite easy, but not as easy, nor as difficult as people would expect.
I will throw in the difficulty of 2x2 just for kicks.
2x2: 5/10
blgentry
Veteran
Yeah, as everyone is saying 4x4x4 and 5x5x5 are pretty easy to learn *after* you already know the 3x3x3.
This guy RobH on youtube has some very good (IMHO) guides for both:
4x4x4
5x5x5
He sounds a bit like he's reading off of cue cards, and he says each step of each alg, which gets a *little* tiresome, but he's very complete, very clear, and easy to learn from.
Brian.
This guy RobH on youtube has some very good (IMHO) guides for both:
4x4x4
5x5x5
He sounds a bit like he's reading off of cue cards, and he says each step of each alg, which gets a *little* tiresome, but he's very complete, very clear, and easy to learn from.
Brian.
(X)
Veteran
Doesn't "Figuring out how to" mean learn, or at least has a very similar meaning.
@topic I think it was easier to learn and figure out to solve a 4x4 than to learn how to solve the 3x3, the 5x5 is just to memorize an algorithm if you know how to solve a 4x4 so it is even easier
soccerking813
Veteran
Figuring out how to solve a cube means to make your own method without learning about it before. Learning about it means to learn from someone else how to do it.
ThatGuy
Veteran
all of the 4x4x4 can be done intuitive except parity algs. You just need to have the concept of reduction.
