Learn how to solve a Rubik’s Cube using a Tutoring System.

Abstract

The Rubik’s cube is a popular logical puzzle with one simple goal: Start with some randomized, shuffled, messy configuration of the cube and, by rotating the faces, get back to the original solved pattern with each side being one single color. But this goal is not as easy as it might seem. A lot of solvers that exist, are based on efficiency and finding a optimal solution in the least possible moves. These solutions do not take human reasoning and strategies into account and are therefore useless for people who are trying to learn to solve it themselves. These solvers can not logically explain their steps, while this is something which would aid humans in their solving process. Therefore the aim of this thesis is to answer whether it is possible to create a tutoring system, based on human reasoning strategies, which could aid people to learn how to solve the Rubik’s cube on different difficulties? And if this is the case, what would such a tutoring system look like? In this thesis I will formalize three different solving strategies, which include different algorithms based on human reasoning. These different strategies vary in difficulty and are able to explain each step along the way. They are implemented into a Tutoring System in order to aid people in learning how to solve a Rubik’s Cube.