Simple yet Beneficial, Solving a Rubik's Cube

 

            Rubik’s Cube, was first called ‘Magic Cube’, is a three-dimensional puzzle invented by Erno Rubik, Hungarian sculptor and architecture professor, in 1974. Rubik’s cube was not meant to be a toy, but a prototype for three-dimentional concept to help Rubik’s students understand three-dimentional problems. It was kind of unique prototype because its each faces can be freely rotated without falling apart. The interesting thing is that even the inventor of Rubik’s cube, Rubik, could not solve his own cube at first. It took him about a month to solve the cube. When he was creating that cube, he did not think about whether he could solve his cube or not, but to think about the methods to solve it. That’s why it took him long enough to perfectly solved it. In 1975, Erno Rubik lisenced his ‘Magic Cube’ to be sold as toy. Magic Cubes were getting more popular in 1979 until brought to an International Toy Exhibition. In 1980, Magic Cubes were produced on a large scale by a toy company. There were some changes such as reduction of its weight and change on its name. They reduced half of the real weight when the cube was invented so that it took less time to solve it because it is lighter than before. Its name, Magic Cube, was then changed into Rubik’s Cube.

            Solving a Rubik’s Cube is actually difficult for many people. It is estimated that less than 6% of world’s population can solve Rubik’s Cube even it is a popular toy. No wonder that it took Erno Rubik a month to solve his own cube. According to mathemathicians, it is really difficult to solve a Rubik’s Cube mathematically. But for me personally, I do not think it is that difficult. Of course, I do not solve it in mathematic ways but using formulas that we usually call as ‘algorithms’. It was insanely difficult and confusing at first, but when you have solved it, you might think it was not that difficult. After you are used to solve it, even you can’t memorize the algorithms well so you need to see them, it will become easier.

            As it is difficult for most people to solve a Rubik’s Cube, it has many benefits for those who could do it. Solving a Rubik’s Cube can increase your visual spatial intelligence. It is because Rubik’s Cube was supposed to be a prototype of three-dimentional object and has six various colors on it. It can lead your brain to think about structures, transformations, coordination skill, and perceptions. Spatial intelligence is not just about ‘visual’ or anything related to visual, just like skills of defining objects, but abilities of analyzing beyond image. Through this visual thought, you can link one thought to each other like how the object is arranged.

            There are some ways to keep your patience. But if you want to do it in a nice way, you should try to slove a Rubik’s Cube then. As I said before, it was insanely difficult and confusing on your first trial to solve a Rubik’s Cube. The algorithms are not easy enough to understand especially for beginners. There are lot of algorithms to memorize, that’s why you should be patient if you want to solve it. Once you turn it wrong, the cube will be scrambled as well so you have to re-follow the algorithms from the start. It was extremely frustating, like when you have done some algorithms (that basically are confusing) but accidentally you turn it wrong, it will be a total mess!

            Solving a Rubik’s Cube keeps your brain active. Just like playing the other puzzles or riddles, solving a Rubik’s Cube will keep your braincells work. It can also increase your memorizing skills because you need to memorize algorithms if you want to solve it. You might do not feel that way but by doing it, then you are used to it, your brain keeps memorizing what you see. Memories have big roles in our daily life so that’s why I suggest you to play a Rubik’s Cube (to helps you increasing your memorizing skills in a nice way, haha).

            Problem solving? Off course. By solving a Rubik’s Cube, you are trained to find a way to solve a problem. You need to carefully take the right decisions in particular situations, just like when you try to solve a Rubik’s Cube, a little mistake can make anything worse. Surely you can apply this in your daily life.

            Solving a Rubik’s Cube might sound complicated and frustating, but once you are able to do it, it really is fun! It has nothing to do with mathematics (for me personally) so you don’t have to worry if you are not good at it. Well, those who don’t know about solving a Rubik’s Cube think that people who are able to do it are good at mathematics or it has something to do with it. I don’t think that way. I am not (really) good at mathematics either but I can solve it anyway.

            We can learn some life lessons from Rubik’s Cube. Carefully choose the best decision, just like when you turn the layers of Rubik’s Cube. Once you make a mistake, everything will be affected. Keeping your patience. By following those complicated algorithms, you are trained not to do anything in rush because the result depends on how you do it. In our life, we have many parts of it: family, friends, career, and many others. Just like six faces of Rubik’s Cube, it all are related to each other, completing each other. To make our life feels complete, we need all that elements. Even without one part, it would feel incomplete so that’s why we need to cherish every aspect of our life. The last one, don’t complicate things in life. Life is basically simple but you are the one who make it looks complicated. Rubik’s Cube might either look complicated but think about it, it is just a small puzzle cube. It is not as difficult as it looks. If you think it’s simple, it is :)