How to solve a 5x5 Rubik's Professor cube

I got a 5x5 cube recently, and learned how to do it by only learning a few algorithms.

In order for you to be able to finish the cube, you will need to be able to solve a 3x3 cube, but being able to solve a 4x4 cube would also enhance your abilities for it, since the algorithms can be used on both.

If anything is unclear, just ask and I can clarify it for you
Please note:
1. This is a LONG INSTRUCTABLE. It will take time and effort to get through this cube, and you need to have some free time to solve your cube.
2. I am Canadian, so deal with the u in colour.
3. I am assuming you have a 5x5 cube. If you do not, they cost up to $40 CAD, so be prepared to spend a little bit of money on it.

Step 1 My collection/experience

I started cubing over the summer of 2007. I got a dollar store "magic" cube, which was a cheap Rubik's cube. It came with instructions, which I memorized, and have now fine tuned so I can solve my cube with a 12 cube average of 51 seconds.

I can solve all the puzzles you see here, no instructions.
I found out how to do this by watching a long youtube video tutorial about how to solve this, and read some text instructions. I have 2 5x5 cubes, a few 3x3 cubes, and the 4x4 cube.

Comments

[B3tray3dQU]

Im at a parody that on the last step where you make the cross on the top layer, I have every side except 1, I know there is an algorithm for my 4x4 but forgot it, and not sure how to do it on the 5x5. Help please? And also I have 2 corners correct on the top layer to start with, so I know there is an algorithm for the switching of 2 corners but can't find it in my manuals or on the internet. Can you please help me with this?

[JaxonTM]

The parody Algorithm: 2Rr, 2B, 2U, Ll, 2U, Rr', 2U, Rr, 2U, 2F, Rr, 2F, Ll', 2B, 2Rr.
this may result in and edge swap (the opposite edges are swapped) put them in the TB and TF edges, and perform; 2Uu, 2Ll, 2U, 2l, 2U, 2Ll, 2Uu. that should fix those problems.
the algorithm to swap the two corners: place the two solved corners in the back of the cube (assuming the top is solved and not permuted) perform; R', F, R', 2B, R, F', R', 2B, 2R. email me at [e-mail] if you have any other cubing questions

[zypher3.14]

Thanks! I can solve the 2x2x2 and the 3x3x3 but I could never get more than the first layer of the 4x4x4 or 5x5x5.

[kill1234]

Spent a whole week repairing a Rubik's 5x5 before getting the V-Cube 5. It literally fell apart in my hands!

[the_burrito_master]

BTW there is more than one parity error. there are actually 3 combinations you have to use the 2 algorithms in. you can probably do it with one but it's easy er to fix it all at one time when you get the 3 edges in the right places yet the middle one is turned the wrong way you can fix that in one move.

[Does Not Compute]

I just use the one. If the things on one side are correct, center is not though, then there is a long algorithm, that i just never wanted to memorize. Therefore, I did not include it, since I don't personally use it.

[kill1234]

The long one is :RR2 B2 U2 LL U2 RR' U2 RR U2 F2 RR F2 LL' B2 RR2.
Mainly used on the 4x4.

[the_burrito_master]

yeah I tough t so it's only a little longer but min doesn't work. I must have copied it down wrong.

[mrnoname]

i made my own algorithm to use while i was making my tutorial, lol

[the_burrito_master]

cool I've made up a couple for the 4 by 4.

[Bridel568]

want a 7x7 go to thinkgeek.com

[kill1234]

Or the vcube website.

[nurdturd]

I ran into a weird parody where one edge has all of the right colors on it but one is oriented the wrong way. Got any algorithms?

[kill1234]

RR2 B2 U2 LL U2 RR' U2 RR U2 F2 RR F2 LL' B2 RR2

Or what he used on step 14. (The one above is longer, but somewhat easier to memorize.)

[TheKnotTier]

0_0

[cowscankill]

I supposed I solve it a tad different, but the end product is always the same, eh? Hope others can learn from this, it's great fun.

[nurdturd]

I meant one edge piece/cublet was facing right while the other two on that same edge are facing left. I hope thats sort of clear what im talking about.


---->
<----
-----> u know kinda like that?

[Does Not Compute]

Sorry about this late reply, I had exams and have just had a hectic month of april, didn't even go on instructables for the entire month!

Yes, I understand what you're talking about, and yes, there is an algorithm somewhere on the internet, but I never actually learned it. I just use the one that swaps two of the middle edge cubelets, and swap the cubelet over to the other side, then move the edge so that when you swap the cubelets again, two are in the right place, move those so that you can put the last piece in place, and repeat until you're done. I actually solve this a completely different way, chainsolving the edges now, makes it faster, but similar concepts.

[emay94]

what do you mean by you can solve the cube like the 3x3 ?

[Does Not Compute]

by solve the cube like the 3x3, I mean that you have to treat the groups of 3 edges as an edge piece on a normal rubik's cube. I could make a tutorial, but it would just add to the many that are here. The 3x3 center on the 5x5, you treat as the center of the cube. Then solve like as though the corners are corners on the 3x3 cube, and the three edges that are paired are like edges on the 3x3, and the 3x3 centers that are made are the centers.

[kill1234]

So what he means is to solve the centers, make the 'tredges', and then solve it like a 3x3, except for some parities.

[alwaysmetara]

At the 'Parity Error' place I always can't do it. I'm sure I'm not doing it wrong, I tried sloooooowly about ten times. Either I'm reading wrong, or it doesn't work?

[Does Not Compute]

I actually just used this to re teach myself this bit. With the Ll turns, are you making sure that when you turn, you turn them away from you? That would cause me problems and I just wouldn't get it.

[vIQleS]

I'm sorry to be negative - but is anyone else having difficulty following these intructions?

Step 8:
"If you needed to rotate any faces, make sure you turn the piece out of the way, so that when you turn it back, the piece stays there"

What?

"Make the 2x3 center on the yellow side using this method"

What method? you haven't given us a method - you've just said "solve this bit..."

I'm not usually an idiot... Last night I was on:

http://www.alchemistmatt.com/cube/rubik.html

And managed to get most of the way to having the centres finished before I mucked something up...

And now - following your instructions - I can't even get the second one done...

[Does Not Compute]

Ok, so basically what I was saying was this:
the main point when you are moving the pieces to make the opposite center to the one you solved originally is that you need to make sure that once you get some 1x2 pairs that are of the same colour (ie a yellow center edge and yellow center corner), you simply rotate the piece up there, and move it such that your piece that you just put up to the yellow face does not get moved down from the yellow face when you rotate the section back. 

I could make a video if that helps you out at all.

[nickityknack]

the algorithm for the second picture doesn't work as advertized....

[Does Not Compute]

I've updated the instructable to fix that,  Sorry!

[bassclarinet23]

Scary...I just did the 3*3*3 last week...

[workinprogress37]

Nice tutorial! Way better than any video that I could find.

[Ikotoo]

I modified the algorithms for a 3*3*3 Rubiks cube to work for my 5*5*5, and it worked well, I am able to solve it. I found the 5*5*5 easier then the 4*4*4. Great Tutorial, you cover everything.

[Does Not Compute]

I also find the 5x5 easier than the 4x4, but then again, my 4x4 pops, and I solve it differently because I hate that one parity problem where the cross just doesn't work. I solve one side, the other side, then everything in between. I find it faster than doing it the other way, but the biggest thing you could run in to is a whole 2x2 center being in the wrong place.

[Ikotoo]

Yeah, parity with the 4*4*4 is much more difficult. it took me about two days to find a way to get out of it while it took me and hour or so with the 5*5*5. Your way of solving the 4*4*4 is really cool, I will have to try it some time.

[mrnoname]

do you have 5x5x5 in ur tag, cuz i cant find urs, btw urs is alot better than mine, i suck at describing things.

[Does Not Compute]

Thanks for reminding me, I kind of forgot that most don't know it as a Professor Cube.

[mrnoname]

i just search the dimensions of the cube, its just alot easier

[J-Five]

Soundss like fun

[the_burrito_master]

kinda reminds me of mine lol the instructable looks good although I've only made it this far. lol

[the_burrito_master]

Yeah nice instructable that's exactly how I solve mine. i was able to figure out how to solve it by myself the first time. but I got one of the pairity errors. so I had to look them up.

[Does Not Compute]

I got to about the same point, and then turned to the great youtube. It's great what you can find there. The solution for any cube over 3x3 is almost exactly the same anyways: make a center, make the opposite center, fill in the other centers, pair edges, fix parity errors, solve like a 3x3.

[the_burrito_master]

I'm getting a 6 by 6 in June.