The main reason why solving Rubik cubes for me are fun and challenging is because of its massive number of permutations and the strategy aspect of it. When I got introduced to the 3x3x3 version in 1st grade, I was awed by it, and wondered if it was even possible to solve it. I finally solved my first cube during the summer of 2010. It took me 2 days, even with the instructions. In fourth grade, I began to cut down my time to 5 minutes. The algorithms took a while to memorize, but I got them down. Over the next 2 years, I gradually cut down my time. Sometime in 2013, I came up with a bypass to cut about 30 seconds down on my time, reducing it to my current time of 90 seconds. My all time record is 57 seconds.
Solving a Rubik cube is very related to solving a math problem. When it is scrambled, it looks complex with the only way to solve it being with trail and error. Same with math. When you get a large, bulky equation, like (43.85x-67.3536y)(34.998z-87.110022)=0 and 43.85x-43.85y+z= 1032.3501, you think that only by substituting random values you will solve it. With the correct algorithms, though, you can solve a 3x3x3 Rubik in around 90 seconds, or a 4x4x4 in 5 minutes. In the math problem, you note that either 34.998y-87.110022=0 or 43.85x+67.336a=0, by solving that you get x=4.02432, y=2.62, and z=2.489. Are you following me? If not, that's OK, just keep reading. These puzzles require logic, reasoning and practice. When solving a cube, you use a series of logical steps most of the time, and innovate new algorithms. In math, you also have to reach a goal with logical steps. When you see a shortcut, you don't have to stick with the procedure, you could use that shortcut. As with anything, practice makes perfect. If you keep practicing, you will get better.
