God's algorithm

English

Etymology

From the notion that God could compute the optimal solution of a puzzle and use it. Coined by David Singmaster in 1980 in connection with the Rubik's cube.

Proper noun

God's algorithm

1. (combination puzzles) An optimal algorithm that finds the solution with the fewest moves.
   • 2008, David Joyner, Adventures in group theory: Rubik's Cube, Merlin's Machine & other mathematical toys, →ISBN, page 149:

     Many people have worked on God's algorithm for the Rubik's Cube. For a while it was guessed that the superflip position is the position which is as far from ‘start’ (the solved position) as possible.

Related terms

• God's number

See also

• God's algorithm on Wikipedia.Wikipedia