Hospice team helps 101-year-old math whiz share secret to solving Rubik’s Cube

Daily Independent
April 12, 2023
by Lin Sue Cooney

Dr. Evar Nering’s passion for numbers has only grown stronger over a century of living. The 101-year-old began his career as a young man at Princeton, earning his Ph.D. in Mathematics.

He later helped create an algorithm for linear programming that garnered five patents. He spent three decades teaching at Arizona State University, building its math program and chairing the department for eight years.

Obviously, Evar has a lot of experience with equations, theorems and statistics. But his most pressing challenge is the one he is facing now: How to share his algorithm for solving the Rubik’s Cube.
Most people abandon the frustrating 3D puzzle within a few minutes. But not Evar. He was so intrigued that he set out to create a mathematical formula that anyone could use.

“I’ve seen videos of people working the Rubik’s Cube super fast, but I can’t tell what’s happening,” the Scottsdale resident chuckles. “I’m not about speed or competing. At my age, I just want to give my algorithm to the world — as my legacy.”

As soon as Evar’s Hospice of the Valley care team heard about his dream, they wanted to help. “Even at 101, he is very mentally alert and loves to talk about math,” said social worker Alanna Ambos. “We decided to connect him with someone who shares that same joy.”

So Alanna and nurse Bonnie Lazzeri teamed with Evar’s daughter and caregiver to reach out to a math professor at Gateway Community College. JW Gaberdiel agreed to visit Evar to learn about his formula.

“Evar’s algorithm is for any cube size and that’s part of its power,” JW said. “His approach is symmetric and beautiful, but not necessarily fast. That is also its charm. There’s something elegant about it.”

The men spent two hours together, chatting about Evar’s life, career and dream to help all of us conquer the Rubik’s Cube.

“I like the challenge of solving problems,” Evar admitted. “And getting my algorithm out there in the public domain is just one more thing to figure out.”

In the meantime, he’s sharing it with us. Click here to read it for yourself.