Archives

The 4x4x4 can be solved in 77 single-slice turns

Previously I announced that the 4x4x4 cube could be solved in 79 single-slice turns by solving it in five stages, in a manner similar to the Thistlethwaite 4-stage solution for the 3x3x3. (See The 4x4x4 can be solved in 79 moves (STM).) However, I have now realized my solution to the 2nd stage could have allowed the use of more basic turns than I used. I have realized that:
< U,u,D,d,L2,l2,R2,r2,F2,f,B2,b > = < U,u,D,d,L2,l,R2,r,F2,f,B2,b >
So with l and r replacing generators l2 and r2, you still can not reach any additional positions. As a result, I should have included the moves { l, l', r, r' } along with the other 24 allowed slice turns for that stage.