From cube-lovers-errors@mc.lcs.mit.edu Sat Dec 11 15:45:34 1999 Return-Path: Received: from sun28.aic.nrl.navy.mil (sun28.aic.nrl.navy.mil [132.250.84.38]) by mc.lcs.mit.edu (8.9.1a/8.9.1-mod) with SMTP id PAA10511 for ; Sat, 11 Dec 1999 15:45:33 -0500 (EST) Precedence: bulk Errors-To: cube-lovers-errors@mc.lcs.mit.edu Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 10:33:39 +0100 (CET) From: Christ van Willegen To: Cube-Lovers@ai.mit.edu Subject: Re: Megaminx 2 edge swap In-Reply-To: <0.a5c6bfe6.2579acd1@aol.com> Message-Id: On Fri, 3 Dec 1999 HarLikin@aol.com wrote: [About the two-edge swap on the MegaMinx] > [Moderator's note: It is impossible to perform an odd permutation of > the edges of the Megaminx, because 5-cycles are even. This is not > the same situation as with Rubik's cube, where it is possible to > perform an odd permutation of the edges if an odd permutation of the > corners is also performed. Did they use the same color for more than > one face of the Megaminx? Is there another way to get fooled? --Dan] The MegaMinx in Puzzler has only 6 colors. When I contacted the author about it, he told me that the one he got only had those 6 colors. When I got mine (2 years back), it had 12 colors. I'm not sure if I've ever run into that problem described above. On second thought, I have... Let me describe what I do to solve a MegaMinx. I hope you can follow what I'm saying, because it's hard to describe this... I'll try to make some pictures... Ok, I stole one from the alt.ascii-art group: _._ _,-'/\ '-._ _,.-'1 /2 \ 3`-.._ .'________/____\________'. :'-. 4 / \ 6 ,-': : '-, / 5 \ ,-' : : 7 /-. ,-\ 10,: `: / '-,.-' \ : :. / 8 ,-''-. 9 \ .: `: / ,-' '-. \ : & :/,-' 11 '-.\: % `'-................-'' First, I solve one layer. This includes the pieces 1, 2, 3 and 5 on the 5 layers adjeacent to the top. Then, I put in the edge pieces 4 and 6. Next, I put in the corner pieces 7 and 10. All of these can be done using standard 3x3x3 moves :-) Putting in 8 and 9 requires a trick. You have to rotate the layers indicated by & and % so that the pieces 8 and 9 can be reached from the 'bottom' layer. Then, use standard 3x3x3 moves to swing the edge pieces from the bottom layer to pieces 8 and 9. I always find this process to take the longest (you need to put in 10 edges. Because of Murphy's law, the edge pieces you need are probably in the 'same' positions in other layers, so you need to take them out before you can put them in. Long work, indeed). Next, put in the corner piece 11. Now, the upper half of the MegaMinx is solved. Next, put in the edge pieces on the second-to-last layer (easy work), and we're down to the last layer. First, I put the edge pieces in the correct _position_. Sometimes, I need two edges to be swapped. The formula I have excahnges three edges, so I mess around with it until I have them all in the correct position. Then, I align edges, position corners (using a three-corner exchange formula), and align corners. The last two steps usually impose no problems. Unfortunately, my notes with Megaminx formulas is at home (we found them back yesterday..), so I can't look up any formulas. If people are interested in the formulas I use, or in the way I solve it, let me know and I'll look up my notes. Christ van Willegen