How to Solve "The Cube" + Tips and Tricks For the Rubik's Cube

Step 5 Placing the Middle Layer Edges

First before we do this step we must flip the cube over so the yellow side is on top and the white side (first layer) is on bottom.

In this step we will be placing the edges in the middle layer. (The row of cubies in between the white and yellow on most standard cubes). There are 3 algorithms to do this. It is basically just one algorithm. One of them is a mirror of the other, and the other one is the algorithm repeated twice with one extra turn. First look at the last layer and find a piece that goes in the middle layer. Then look at the color of that piece that is on the top (yellow side) Turn the top side so that the color is across from its side. (refer to first image)

Next look at the other color of the edge piece. Hold the cube so that the color that you saw is on the front. Now look to see if the cubie goes in on the left or right of that side. If it goes in the right (refer to second image) then do the move titled right. If it goes in on the left (refer to third image) then do the move titled left. If the piece needs to be flipped (refer to fourth image) do the move titled flip.

Right Move
Right: Up
Top: Counter Clockwise
Right: Down
Front: Clockwise
Right: Down
Front: Counter Clockwise
Right: Up

Left Move
Left: Up
Top: Clockwise
Left: Down
Front: Counter Clockwise
Left: Down
Front: Clockwise
Left: Up

Flip Move
Right: Up
Top: Counter Clockwise
Right: Down
Front: Clockwise
Right: Down
Front: Counter Clockwise
Right: Up
Top: Counter Clockwise
Right: Up
Top: Counter Clockwise
Right: Down
Front: Clockwise
Right: Down
Front: Counter Clockwise
Right: Up

(or if you need help memorizing that)
Right move ()
Top: Counter Clockwise
Right move ()

Comments

[jaymeb]

What do you do when two of your middle layer edge pieces are already in the middle, but on the opposite side from where they're supposed to be?

[ranaakamarth]

Its been so long since I've solved a cube, but... From how you are explaining it I would do either the left or right move on this page and take the misplaced cubie out, and then put that cubie into its correct place using one of the moves. Then do the same thing with the other one.

[daxterrpro]

well guess what? i figured it out and now im stuck on something else... step 6? - gonna post something there. Besides me not understanding these two things, everything else is great lol incredible instructable man!

[ranaakamarth]

thanks! I just put the video in the instructable. Sorry about uising 1 hand... I had to hold the vid camera..

[ranaakamarth]

I will try to add a video hopefully explaining the moves better in the terminology and frequently asked questions.

[daxterrpro]

I can get up to this part, but once i do the algorythm you gave just seems to mess my cube up, all three of them in different situations actually. I think im confused by when you say up and down, from which perspective are you talking about and - if you could - could you say towards or away from you becuase i can think of up and down both ways. I think thats it for now, hopefully this instructable is still monitered. Thanks!!