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Three points determine a plane. To put it another way, a plane can always contact any set of three points. So the tips of the legs of a 3-legged support always contact the floor. A 4-legged support has four possible sets of three legs, i.e. four possible planes that it can contact. Unless all four legs are exactly the same length, their ends don't all lie in the same plane. When set down on a single plane ... like the floor ... the support winds up wobbling among different sets of three points.

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Q: Why does a three legged support work better than a four legged one?
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Why tripod is more stable than four legged table?

Because the three feet of the tripod are on the same plane, even if one leg is shorter it will not waver or stumble. However, with four legs, if one leg is shorter it will end up in two planes, or two tripods, and will always waver from one plane to the other, thus making the chair/table unstable. Chairs and tables are probably four legged because they are rectangular. If you want a three legged table you would need to have an extra sphere/block that has three legs branching out, and it would be more expensive.


Why is a three legged stool not rock as much as a four legged stool?

Three points are the minimum required to define a geometric Plane. Any 3-legged stool, then, can only exist on a single Plane, and cannot alternate between any two Planes (i.e., rock). By combining any 3 of the 4 or more legs on the stool could define a separate plane on which the stool could stand. There are 4 separate configurations of 3 legs upon which a 4-legged table could stand: ABC AB D A CD BCD


What is a four sided three dimensional figure?

A pyramid is a four-sided, three-dimensional figure.


What is the name of a four sided triangles name?

A triangle, by definition, can have only three sides. So a four sided triangle simply cannot exist!A triangle, by definition, can have only three sides. So a four sided triangle simply cannot exist!A triangle, by definition, can have only three sides. So a four sided triangle simply cannot exist!A triangle, by definition, can have only three sides. So a four sided triangle simply cannot exist!


3 dimensional triangle?

A three dimensional triangular figure with three faces and a base is called a triangular pyramid. It has four vertices, four faces, and six edges.

Related questions

Why does a 3 legged support tripod work better than one with 4 legs?

If the surface on which it sits is slightly uneven, then a three-legged support will still sit stable. However, on an uneven surface, a four-legged support may wobble.


Why does the Eiffel Tower have four pillars?

The Eiffel towers has four pillars for stability, and to give it a symetrical aspect. The design was the object of a contest and only a four-legged design was considered at the time. Technically it would have been possible to build a resembling structure with only three pillars (like a three-legged stool instead).


What are the advantages and disadvantages of three-legged stools as opposed to those with four legs?

When you have a four legged stool it can be unbalanced if one of legs is a different length than the others. if you have a three legged stool than even if one of the legs is uneven it will still balance evenly.


What does the term three-legged stool mean?

A small seat that has three legs as opposed to four (or more)


A carpenter knows a four-legged table can wobble whereas a three-legged table will not?

Yes. This is because any three points will always be coplanar, but a fourth point may not be.


Is three legged chair more stable than a four legged chair?

On a four legged chair, if any of the legs are not as long (or longer) as the others, the chair will wobble. On a three legged stoll, if one of the legs are different, the chair will only be uneven or fall over (depending on how drastic the difference is).


What advantages does two legged walking have over four legged walking?

Well, really nothing. Actually we're much better. So be greatful! geez.


What is another name for a four legged animal?

Another name for a four legged animal is a quadruped.


How many four legged animals are there?

There would have to be trillions of four-legged animals that exist on Earth.


What is a four legged animal?

a four legged animal is an animal that walks on four legs, scientifically called a quadraped.


What is a four legged animal that ends with ped?

All four-legged animals are called Quadrupeds, 'quad' - four; 'ped' - foot.


What words have leg in them?

legroom, leggings, two-legged, four-legged