Unlike a cube, the Rubik snake puzzle allows you to create a new figure each time. Few people know, but there are already more than a hundred of them. And constantly there are new schemes of what figures from a snake can really be created.
The standard puzzle has 24 pieces. But there are longer options, for example, with 36 or 48 parts.
The models that are created from it are divided into two-dimensional and three-dimensional. Some of them are quite simple, especially from the first group. Even younger students will cope with it. But there are figures over which even a person with experience in assembling it will break his head.
Interestingly, in a general sense it cannot be called a puzzle. Because she, rather, is a designer who needs to be assembled according to a previously thought-out plan. Or come up with something special. And then teach others about it.
This Rubik puzzle helps develop spatial imagination and creativity. It will prove to be an indisputable assistant in the formation of logic in the one who collects it.
How to read figure assembly diagrams?
First you need to properly position the snake. Its initial position is as follows: all parts form a straight line. If you look at it from the side, the dark triangles appear from below. Accordingly, light - on top.
All dark triangles are numbered from 1 to 12. From left to right, of course. These dark parts during the assembly of the figure from the snake remain motionless. Light details will rotate. With this figure, the next paragraph of the instruction for assembling a figure from a snake will begin.
If you need a rotation of the triangle that is on the left, then the letter āLā will be in the instructions. The right part rotates if the letter āPā is present.
The number of turns is limited to 3. Since the fourth will return the part to its original position. The number of turns is after the letter indicating the left or right side. The movement is clockwise.
Thus, each part of the assembly instructions for the figure from the Rubik snake is formed of three components:
- triangle number (1-12);
- side of rotation (L or P);
- number of turns (1-3).
For example, 10L1. She says that you need to rotate the light triangle to the left of 10 dark once.
Remembering this rule, it is easy to assemble any figure. And even write your own algorithm if you come up with something special. And it will be clear to everyone. In order for the assembly technology to be understandable to foreigners, it is customary to replace the Russian letters L and P with the Latin L and R.
A figure called "Onion"
This game is a snake puzzle. Figures sometimes have a name, which is not entirely clear where it came from. So with this one. To many, it rather resembles a flower. The assembly algorithm consists of the following actions:
1P3; 2L1; 2P3; 3L3; 4P1; 4L3; 3P3; 5L3; 5P3; 6L1; 6P3; 9L3; 8P1; 8L3; 7P3; 7L3; 9P3; 10L1; 12P1; 12L3; 11P3; 11L3; 10P3.
Explanation of instructions:
- the right one turns 3 times from the first;
- left from the 2nd - 1 time;
- from her right - 3;
- right from the 3rd - 3 times;
- 1 turn right from the 4th;
- from her left - 3;
- return to the third and turn right by 3;
- about the fifth, first left by 3, and then right also by 3;
- from the sixth they rotate - left by 1, right by 3;
- turn around the ninth left triangle 3 times;
- about the eighth right 1 time, and the left makes 3 turns;
- from the seventh symmetrically to the left and right by 3;
- the tenth on the left has one turn;
- near the twelfth one rotates right 1 time and left 3;
- from the eleventh there is again symmetry on the left and right in 3 turns;
- the right side of the 10th makes 3 turns.
Further such detailed explanations will not be.
Instructions for the figure "Giraffe"
Another three-dimensional model. This time an animal. Like the previous figure, it can be evaluated from all angles. Algorithm for assembling the model:
2P1; 3L3; 3P1; 4P3; 5L3; 4L2; 6L3; 6P3; 8P1; 8L3; 7P1; 7L2; 12P2.
How to make a compact triangle out of a snake?
It was the turn of the figures that indicate inanimate objects. One example is a volumetric triangular prism. Such an instruction is useful for its creation:
1P3; 3L2; 4P3; 3P2; 5P1; 5L2; 6P3; 7L2; 7P3; 6L2; 8P1; 8L2; 9P3; 11L2; 12P1; 9L2.
How to make a ball?
This is the most famous figure from this puzzle. The algorithm for its creation is as follows:
1P1; 2L3; 2P3; 3L1; 3P1; 4L1; 4P1; 5L3; 5P3; 12P3; 12L3; 11P3; 11L3; 10P1; 10L1; 9P1; 9L1; 8P3; 8L3; 7P1; 6P3; 6L3; 7L1.
One of many harness options
There are a lot of all kinds of weaving. This example strongly resembles a thick pigtail. In order to weave it, you need to perform the following sequence of turns:
1P3; 2L1; 2P3; 3L1; 3P3; 4L1; 4P3; 5L1; 5P3; 6L1; 7L1; 7P1; 8L3; 8P1; 9L3; 9P1; 10L3; 10P1; 11L3; 11P1; 12L3; 12P3; 6P1.
Figurine "Duck"
Most of the items that can be made from the puzzle are animals and birds or vehicles. This is an example of a snake figure that resembles a duck. Her algorithm:
1P2; 3P1; 4P1; 6L1; 8P1; 7L3; 6P2; 9P3; 9L2; 11L3; 12L3.
How to assemble an ostrich figure?
Another bird to create which you need a snake (figures). Instructions for its assembly:
1P2; 3L1; 2P2; 3P3; 4L1; 4P1; 5L1; 6L3; 5P1; 6P3; 7L3; 8L1; 7P3; 8P1; 9L2; 10L2; 12P2.
It can even be put and viewed from all sides. Real three-dimensional model.
Model for romantics "Heart"
Allows you to express your feelings without words. What is not Valentine for Valentine's Day? And the algorithm is pretty simple, at least short:
7L2; 9P1; 4P3; 3P3; 10P1; 12L2; 2L2.
In conclusion
After creating several figures according to a pre-thought out algorithm, you will definitely want to create something of your own. Perhaps it was once invented by someone. But for the one who thought of it himself, the model will be a real discovery. And what could be a great incentive for development?