Difference between revisions of "Reduction Method"

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Reduction is a prevalent [[method]] for solving [[Big Cubes|big cubes]], which involves solving [[Center|centers]] and assembling [[Edge|edges]] so that the cube is "reduced" to a [[3x3x3]] puzzle. All recent official records and fastest times on the [[4x4x4]] and [[5x5x5]] cubes have been set by speedsolvers using reduction. The fastest unofficial times on the 6x6x6 and 7x7x7 cubes ave also been set on reduction, although other methods such as [[Cage Method|Cage]] have been used to attain fast times on very large cube [[Simulator|cube simulators]].
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'''Reduction''', also known as '''Redux''', is the current dominant group of [[method]]s for [[big cube]]s speedsolving, and the dominant method for [[5x5x5]]+ that solves [[center]]s and matches [[edge]]s to "reduce" the puzzle to a [[3x3x3]].  
  
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Almost every speedcuber uses the reduction method for 5x5 and bigger cubes. Reduction was formerly the dominantly used method for 4x4 as well, however the [[Yau]] method has recently taken over. It can also be used as a beginner's method.
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== Comparison with other methods ==
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Others methods such as [[Cage Method|Cage]] have been used to attain fast times on very large cube [[Simulator|cube simulators]] (on very big cubes there are almost only centers to solve and most time is spent looking for them so the method used does not matter that much).
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== Reduction in other puzzles ==
 
The idea of reduction is applicable to other puzzles, where it may be easier to manipulate a puzzle so it functions as a simpler sub-puzzle. In most cases, reduction is used to simplify the puzzle by grouping pieces first, instead of directly solving pieces into their correct positions.
 
The idea of reduction is applicable to other puzzles, where it may be easier to manipulate a puzzle so it functions as a simpler sub-puzzle. In most cases, reduction is used to simplify the puzzle by grouping pieces first, instead of directly solving pieces into their correct positions.
  
The idea of reduction can sometimes be formalized as effectively as placing a puzzle into a smaller subgroup. [[Thistlethwaite's Algorithm|Thistlethwaite's algorithm]] was based on several iterative reductions, and most fast computer solvers essentially use those approaches.
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The idea of reduction can sometimes be formalized as effectively as placing a puzzle into a smaller subgroup. [[Thistlethwaite Algorithm|Thistlethwaite's algorithm]] was based on several iterative reductions, and most fast computer solvers essentially use those approaches.
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Although most solving methods involve steps that reduce the left-over puzzle portion, simply solving the puzzle into "less of a mess" (such as "reducing" a cube to the [[Last Layer|LL]] with [[Petrus]]) is not commonly considered reduction. The term is more applied to solving a puzzle into a differently interpretable puzzle, which is normally solved without resort to treating it like the original puzzle (with notable exceptions, such as [[Parity]]).
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== External links ==
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* [http://www.bigcubes.com bigcubes.com Tutorial]
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* [http://meep.cubing.net/index.html Meep's website]
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* [http://www.cubewhiz.com/4x4.php Bob Burton's 4x4 algs]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2IDfwxt_EM 4x4 Begginers tutorial]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9ZG79bdPFg SirWaffle's 5x5 Last two centers tutorial]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdwlLzGIGhA SirWaffle's 5x5 Last two edges tutorial]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEEXkFtTfXA&list=PLM4KMnB4J82Rk5Jv9a5gbucPdFD91QCZ4 Cyoubx's 5x5 tips]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-hx5j0IPz0 Kevin Hays's 5x5 tips and tricks]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjTJcUXokmU Feliks's 5x5 walktrough solves]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi4jdFtsXwg Kevin Hays's 6x6 walktrough solves]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBP-itg0NTc JRcuber's 5x5 walktrough solves]
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VtSjh9p-5k JRcuber's 7x7 walktrough solves]
  
Although most solving methods involve steps that reduce the left-over puzzle portion, simply solving the puzzle into "less of a mess" (such as reducing a cube to [[Last Layer|LL]] with Petrus) is not commonly considered reduction. The term is more applied to solving a puzzle into a differently interpretable puzzle, which is normally solved without resort to treating it like the original puzzle (with notable exceptions, such as [[Parity]]).
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[[Category:Big Cube methods]]

Revision as of 18:04, 13 January 2018

Reduction, also known as Redux, is the current dominant group of methods for big cubes speedsolving, and the dominant method for 5x5x5+ that solves centers and matches edges to "reduce" the puzzle to a 3x3x3.

Almost every speedcuber uses the reduction method for 5x5 and bigger cubes. Reduction was formerly the dominantly used method for 4x4 as well, however the Yau method has recently taken over. It can also be used as a beginner's method.

Comparison with other methods

Others methods such as Cage have been used to attain fast times on very large cube cube simulators (on very big cubes there are almost only centers to solve and most time is spent looking for them so the method used does not matter that much).

Reduction in other puzzles

The idea of reduction is applicable to other puzzles, where it may be easier to manipulate a puzzle so it functions as a simpler sub-puzzle. In most cases, reduction is used to simplify the puzzle by grouping pieces first, instead of directly solving pieces into their correct positions.

The idea of reduction can sometimes be formalized as effectively as placing a puzzle into a smaller subgroup. Thistlethwaite's algorithm was based on several iterative reductions, and most fast computer solvers essentially use those approaches.

Although most solving methods involve steps that reduce the left-over puzzle portion, simply solving the puzzle into "less of a mess" (such as "reducing" a cube to the LL with Petrus) is not commonly considered reduction. The term is more applied to solving a puzzle into a differently interpretable puzzle, which is normally solved without resort to treating it like the original puzzle (with notable exceptions, such as Parity).

External links