Permutation Groups

and

Rubik's Cube

Tom Davis
tomrdavis@earthlink.net
May 6, 2000

Abstract:

In this paper we'll discuss permutations (rearrangements of objects), how to combine them, and how to construct complex permutations from simpler ones. We'll talk a bit about groups of permutations as well. Almost all the interesting examples in the paper are related to solving the well-known ``Rubik's Cube'' puzzle. It is easiest to read this paper if you have a Rubik's Cube with you (and a screwdriver to take it apart if you don't know how to solve it).