Using 35 years of computer processing time donated by Google, a team of researchers has now been able to calculate the minimum number of moves it should take to solve the Rubik’s Cube.
All 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 possible combinations can be solved in 20 moves.
The Evolution of the God Number
Back in 1981, the God Number (using the most efficient algorithms possible) was thought to be 52. This number represented the maximum number of moves required to solve the Rubik’s Cube from any scrambled position. Over the years, as computational power increased and more sophisticated algorithms were developed, this number was gradually reduced. By 2005, researchers had managed to bring it down to 28 moves. However, it wasn’t until the collaboration with Google that the God Number was definitively discovered to be 20.
The term “God Number” refers to the idea that if an omniscient being were to solve the Rubik’s Cube, they would do so in the minimum number of moves possible. This concept has fascinated mathematicians and computer scientists for decades, leading to extensive research and numerous breakthroughs in the field of combinatorial optimization.
Computational Efforts and Breakthroughs
The journey to determine the God Number was not a simple one. It required the collaboration of numerous researchers and the utilization of vast computational resources. Google’s donation of idle computing time was a game-changer in this regard. By harnessing the power of Google’s data centers, researchers were able to perform the extensive calculations needed to analyze all 43 quintillion possible configurations of the Rubik’s Cube.
The process involved breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems. Advanced algorithms were then used to solve these sub-problems, gradually building up to the solution for the entire cube. This approach, combined with the sheer processing power available, allowed the researchers to achieve a level of precision and efficiency that was previously unattainable.
For more geeky information about the Rubik’s Cube algorithms, check out Cube 20
The implications of this discovery extend beyond the realm of recreational puzzles. The techniques and algorithms developed during this research have potential applications in various fields, including cryptography, artificial intelligence, and operations research. By pushing the boundaries of what is computationally possible, the study of the Rubik’s Cube continues to inspire and drive innovation in computer science.
Moreover, the Rubik’s Cube itself remains a popular and enduring puzzle, captivating the minds of enthusiasts around the world. The knowledge that any configuration can be solved in 20 moves or less adds a new layer of intrigue and challenge for those who seek to master this iconic puzzle.
Via Gizmodo Via Cube 20 Via Slashdot
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