What is God's number? (Warning - precise numeric answers will be expected to have proofs attached.)

lanfranco

I thought so. You're talking about Rubik's Cube and the minimum number of moves it would take to solve it, from the weirdest of its various mixed-up configurations According to the site below, that number is 26. I'm not providing proofs -- I left that behind at university. However, you can also look at the Wiki site "God's Algorithm," which says that the minimum number hasn't been determined. (Yes, I know you hate Wiki sites, Baloo, but it's still interesting.) http://www.boston.com/news/globe/health_science/articles/2007/06/25/the_search_for_gods_number_in_a_rubiks_cube/ Aug 09 08, 4:57 PM

Baloo55th

A Yay!! for Frankie. The number has been put much lower (17 or something down around there) by some, but the calculations are so horrendous not even modern computers can handle them. So it said in New Scientist, anyway. So far as I could understand them. I don't hate wiki pages - I edit over there! (Under a different name, that is...) I just prefer to find other sources otherwise people will think we here are a load of regurgitators rather than researchers. I do quote Wikipedia when I think it's the best one to use - and it very often is. Aug 09 08, 5:07 PM

gentlegiant17

How about 7? "If man is 5 / Then the devil is 6 / And if the devil is 6 / Then God is 7" (The Pixies, "Monkey's Gone to Heaven") Some would accept it as a valid proof ;-) Aug 10 08, 12:26 AM

Baloo55th

Probably. Most mathematicians wouldn't..... Aug 10 08, 4:06 AM

Arpeggionist

26 is the mnemonic value of the four-letter name of God (spelled in English as YHWH). That mathematicians found a way to recognize this is interesting. Aug 10 08, 7:30 AM

queproblema

Setting aside my instinct to cry, "ALL of them!" and agreeing with all the foresaid, I'll propose two others: one and phi. I've been reading "To Infinity and Beyond" in which Eli Maor points out that many major religions consider one to be the number of God. http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Beyond-Eli-Maor/dp/0691025118 In "The Golden Ratio," Robin Livio devotes two chapters to the idea that 1.6180339887... is "divine." http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Ratio-Worlds-Astonishing-Number/dp/0767908163 This question also reminds me of an old song somewhat related to Dial-a-Prayer. http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/travis-randy/jesus-on-the-mainline-16312.html In Galesville, WI, the number would be (608) 582-4206. http://datarecovery.addresses.com/yp_results.php?ReportType=44&MoreInfoResult=1&qrecid=LMS68179637 Aug 10 08, 7:47 PM