How to Solve the Rubik's Cube 5x5

The 98-piece Rubik's cube (also known as the Professor's Cube) is one of the most difficult puzzles. However, it can be solved if you carefully follow an algorithm called the reduction method.

The first step in solving the cube is arranging the center pieces and pairing all of the edge pieces. Once you've solved this, you can move on to the next layer of the puzzle and begin solving it like a 3x3 Rubik's cube.

How to solve the cube

Solving the 5x5 cube can be tricky, but it is doable if you follow the algorithm. It's a good choice for beginners and people participating in speedcubing competitions, as it can be solved in less than 20 steps.

Start by completing the centers on each side, and pairing up the edge pieces. Then, you can solve the cube like a 3x3 Rubik's cube.

Use the RU'R' and FR'F'R algorithms to preserve your centerpieces while solving the last four edges. These are the only two algorithms that use a double layer wide turn around the axis, which is a great way to pair middle edges and wings.

If you finish with a triple edge that isn't oriented right, use the Edge Swapping algorithm to swap it from the left to the right face. You can also use this algorithm to change the orientation of the center cubie if it's opposite from its neighbors.

Centerpieces

The centerpieces of the Rubik's Cube 5x5 are the six fixed bits that set the cube's final position. They do not rotate and do not change color.

If you've never solved a Rubik's Cube before, it can be challenging to start out. But there's a simple trick that helps make solving easier.

First, choose a color to solve the cube on. This is important because you'll want to find a color that is easy to solve.

Once you've picked a color, orientate the cube so that one of the corner pieces is in the top right of the front face. It's easiest to do this with one that is already in place, but you may need to move the upper row to find it.

Then, perform the algorithm shown above to cycle the piece around. This can take a few times, but it's a critical step to completing the puzzle. If you do this correctly, you'll have a fully-solved cube.

Edges

There are two kinds of edges on the Rubik's cube: middle edges, which can change orientation or be flipped in their position, and wings, which cannot. To solve the cube using edges, you need to line up the triple edges so that all the pieces are of the same color combination.

To do this, you'll need to use algorithms that swap the corner cubies on adjacent faces. These algorithms can be time-consuming, but they're an important part of the reduction method.

These algorithms are used when the puzzle is still in its initial state, and they may have side effects that change other parts of the cube. Eventually, these algorithms are replaced by more specific ones that have no side effects and will only affect the parts that matter to the solution.

These algorithms are the simplest ways to solve a cube and are employed early on in the solution, when most of the puzzle hasn't been solved yet. They can be used repeatedly to change the shape of the cube without interfering with previously-solved pieces.

Sides

The sides of a Rubik's cube are an integral part of the puzzle. Solving each side involves rotating the pieces of the cube to their correct positions.

The front and down (bottom) sides of the cube are typically turned a quarter turn, while the upper side is usually rotated one full turn. The central horizontal slice H also needs to be rotated.

For the upper side, look directly at the piece to determine which direction it should be turned. Unless specified, always rotate a piece a quarter turn in a clockwise direction.

There are 24 outer edges and 12 central edges. Each of these can be flipped and arranged in a variety of ways, including odd permutations. However, a single flipped edge can only be used to make one of two possible solutions. This is why it is considered the "mirror" side of a Rubik's cube, but it is also the most complex side to solve.