Analysis reveals how commutators and conjugates within group theory aid Rubik's Cube solving.
This paper demystifies the Rubiks Cube solution formulas via the group theory, focusing on commutators and conjugates. First, it formalizes the Rubiks Cube as the cube group ( G =<U, D, F, B, L, R>) (with ( U, D, F, B, L, R ) denoting clockwise 90 face rotations) and verifies that G satisfies all group axioms (closure, associativity, identity, invertibility) under rotation composition. It then extends to group actions, analyzing how G acts on the cubes facelets, edge blocks, and corner blocks to lay a theoretical basis for rotation analysis. Key findings: Commutators enable localized transformations (altering few blocks without disrupting solved parts), while conjugates realize systematic reuse of these transformations (adapting templates to any block). This shifts solving from rote memorization to "comprehensible restoration." Ultimately, the work shows group theorys role in linking abstract algebra to symmetric systems like the Rubiks Cube, improving clarity, intuition, and practical understanding.
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Morong Chen (2025) studied this question.