[Verba] Meeting summary

[Stuart D. Gathman]

On Sun, 19 Feb 2006, Stuart D. Gathman wrote:

> I think Jillian might be interested in a python program to solve the 
> Rubik's cube.  The first step to understanding the problem is to count the 
> number of combinations.  Note that it is *not* the total permutations of 
> the colored squares (i.e. you can make a Rubik's cube impossible to solve 
> by swapping colored squares .. a great joke to play on someone ..).
> 
> Here is a similar situation for a simpler puzzle:
> 
> http://www.holotronix.com/samlloyd15b.html

I ordered a book called "Adventures in Group Theory" which is illustrated
lots of permutation puzzles including Rubik's cube.  Meanwhile, 
for online education, the following resource is excellent:

Introduction to Group Theory:

http://members.tripod.com/~dogschool/

After working through those lessons, you'll understand the denser summary in
Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubik's_Cube_as_a_mathematical_group

Not only that, you'll understand jokes like:

Q. "What's purple and commutes?"  
A. "An abelian grape."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abelian_group

While this tangent makes the computer club wonderfully geeky, you will
need to grasp the math before being able to design an efficient
program to solve the cube.  So learning group theory will have to
take place on the side for those interested.  Jillian - trust me.
Your cube interest will further your education if you pursue the
deep understanding of such puzzles afforded by group theory.  Otherwise,
you are wasting your time. 

We'll continue to learn programming basics in the foreground.  (Unless,
of course, both class members are consumed with curiousity on this topic.)

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
a Microsoft sponsored "Where do you want to go from here?" commercial.