Difference between revisions of "Superflip"

From Speedsolving.com Wiki
m (fixed STM solution #)
(Pointed out it's been proven that 20 moves is the maximum.)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[Image:Superflip.png|frame|The superflip.]]
 
[[Image:Superflip.png|frame|The superflip.]]
  
The '''superflip''' is a famous position of the [[3x3x3]] where all corners are solved, and all edges are in the correct location but flipped. Despite its symmetry, this is an extremely difficult pattern, which is known to require 20 moves [[HTM]] to solve (in fact it was the first position that was proven to require that many moves). No position has ever been found which requires more moves than this, so many people believe that 20 moves is in fact the maximum number of moves that any 3x3 pattern could take to solve.
+
The '''superflip''' is a famous position of the [[3x3x3]] where all corners are solved, and all edges are in the correct location but flipped. Despite its symmetry, this is an extremely difficult pattern, which is known to require 20 moves [[HTM]] to solve (in fact it was the first position that was proven to require that many moves). No position exists that requires more than 20 moves.
  
 
The superflip also has a few interesting properties because of the way it interacts with the [[Rubik's cube group]]. If you do a [[commutator]] with the superflip and any other algorithm, you will always end up back at the solved state; the superflip is also self-inverse, which means doing it twice will bring you back to the solved state. Also, because the superflip is completely symmetrical but not solved, any move will bring it to a position that is easier to solve.
 
The superflip also has a few interesting properties because of the way it interacts with the [[Rubik's cube group]]. If you do a [[commutator]] with the superflip and any other algorithm, you will always end up back at the solved state; the superflip is also self-inverse, which means doing it twice will bring you back to the solved state. Also, because the superflip is completely symmetrical but not solved, any move will bring it to a position that is easier to solve.

Revision as of 12:03, 5 August 2011

The superflip.

The superflip is a famous position of the 3x3x3 where all corners are solved, and all edges are in the correct location but flipped. Despite its symmetry, this is an extremely difficult pattern, which is known to require 20 moves HTM to solve (in fact it was the first position that was proven to require that many moves). No position exists that requires more than 20 moves.

The superflip also has a few interesting properties because of the way it interacts with the Rubik's cube group. If you do a commutator with the superflip and any other algorithm, you will always end up back at the solved state; the superflip is also self-inverse, which means doing it twice will bring you back to the solved state. Also, because the superflip is completely symmetrical but not solved, any move will bring it to a position that is easier to solve.

One optimal solution in HTM for the superflip is U R2 F B R B2 R U2 L B2 R U' D' R2 F R' L B2 U2 F2. The superflip also requires a minimum of 24 quarter turns to solve, and a minimum of 16 slice turns. One example of an optimal solution which requires 16 slice turns is S U B2 D2 M D' M2 S U R2 D M2 U B2 U S2. Another solution which requires 24 turns STM is MU'MU'MU'MU'yz'MU'MU'MU'MU'yz'MU'MU'MU'MU'. This is particularly easy to remember, as it is simply (MU')x4 followed by a yz'. This is repeated three times.

See Also