Building Rubiks Cube: A Function Of Production
The Rubiks cube is a special game and a very particular puzzle. The 3-dimensional cube is made up of six faces, or boundary sections, of the same size. Each face, or section, consists of several two dimensional square parts, or cubelets. Every cubelet has the same surface area, and each of the six faces has the same number of cubelets. Therefore, the cubes surface is entirely covered with isocubelets. The cubelets are painted in six different colours, and it is possible to create a design where each face shows only one colour. Such is the object of the game: to turn the cubelets and sections of the cube so that only one (different) colour shows on each one of the six faces. If one manages to master the puzzle, the cube will show six faces of the same size, each coloured differently. The cubelets and sections of the cube can be turned both horizontally and vertically in order to change colours while trying to determine the appropriate combination to complete the puzzle. This approach is linked to a particular function in microeconomics that deals with the relationship between two magnitudes: on the one hand, the moves needed to achieve the desired final design; and on the other hand, the cost linked to the required production processes. This analytical model must use combinatorial mathematics equipment because, after all, the key factor in solving the Rubiks cube is the way in which the cubelets and sections are arranged.