The group theory of Rubik’s magic cube
Peter Neumann, Gabrielle A Stoy, Edward C Thompson · 1994
Abstract The cube with the mystifying ability to generate instant confusion provides an excellent example of groups acting on sets. You have probably seen the puzzle-indeed, we hope you own one. But in case not, here is a brief description. It is a cube divided into 27 small cubes, arranged 3 x 3 x 3 as they must be. Inside there is an ingenious arrangement which holds the small cubes together in such a way that any one of the ‘races’ of the magic cube may be rotated about its centre, (Fig. 19.1 ).