Solving the 3rd Layer
**To be done with the last layer facing up**
Here is the printable page for the algorithms
Step 1: Orientation of the edges (make a yellow cross)
Step 2: Permutation of the edges (putting the cross in the correct position)
Step 3: Permutation of the corners
Step 4: Orientation of the corners
There will either be no oriented corners at all, 1 oriented corner, 2 that are adjacent to each other, or 2 that are opposite to each other. For the 1st and 4th case, you can choose to start with any of the unoriented corners, while you have to choose the rightmost one for cases 2 and 3. Rotate the top layer so that the chosen one is placed at the bottom right hand corner when viewed from the top.
Then repeat the following moves two times or four times until the corner is oriented.
R' D' R D
It is perfectly normal if you find out that the back of the cube has now been mixed up, but believe me, it'll return to normal soon. So don't worry.
The next thing you need do is to rotate the top layer in an anticlockwise direction either once or twice so that an unoriented corner will replaced the now oriented one. Pay special attention that you should only turn the top layer instead of the whole cube. This is usually where people make a mistake and ruin everything. Tell yourself that you have nearly finished solving the entire cube so you need to be extra careful.
Here is the printable page for the algorithms
Step 1: Orientation of the edges (make a yellow cross)
Step 2: Permutation of the edges (putting the cross in the correct position)
Step 3: Permutation of the corners
Step 4: Orientation of the corners
There will either be no oriented corners at all, 1 oriented corner, 2 that are adjacent to each other, or 2 that are opposite to each other. For the 1st and 4th case, you can choose to start with any of the unoriented corners, while you have to choose the rightmost one for cases 2 and 3. Rotate the top layer so that the chosen one is placed at the bottom right hand corner when viewed from the top.
Then repeat the following moves two times or four times until the corner is oriented.
R' D' R D
It is perfectly normal if you find out that the back of the cube has now been mixed up, but believe me, it'll return to normal soon. So don't worry.
The next thing you need do is to rotate the top layer in an anticlockwise direction either once or twice so that an unoriented corner will replaced the now oriented one. Pay special attention that you should only turn the top layer instead of the whole cube. This is usually where people make a mistake and ruin everything. Tell yourself that you have nearly finished solving the entire cube so you need to be extra careful.