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Why does a tripod have three legs? Here’s why

While I was randomly looking at some beautiful locations for my photography, I just got a doubt. All the stools or tables have four legs. But when I’m unpacking the tripod, then I got a doubt that why does a tripod have three legs only?

So why tripod has three legs? Three leg formation is a circle that is the best way to balance the elements. In technical terms, three points that aren’t on a line can be contained in one plane. Something that is four-legged has to be adjusted appropriately, even one leg’s improper length can shake the object.

And then I started looking for the answer, and I was miserably failed to get the exact point of 3 legs design. Instead, I started looking for three-dimensional objects. Everyone knows a triangle that has three sides. Triangle is the only element that I like in mathematics than the sphere and ellipse. 

But before that, here are some points that we have to dig deep before coming to a conclusion.

Are three legs better than four?

Why tripod has three legs -  stool screenshot

Three legs are the minimum requirement to be stabled in three dimensions. Technically, each line in dimension constrains one degree of freedom. The problem with the four-legged table or stool is, if the ground isn’t the same level or anyone leg from the four are not equal, then the balancing becomes hard. 

For any object or element, the motion and rotation can be done easily with three legs of a circle flat bottom surface. While reading this, take a paper and draw a triangle or circle. And then rotate your paper to observe the motion. The triangle turns in the same line or dimension where all other points are touched. The same thing happens with the circle.

But when you try to move or rotate the four sides or four-legged element, you can notice the moment distorted. That’s hectic to read but easy to understand. 

I’ve written detail guide on “How to choose the best tripod?” and some “best lightweight tripods while backpacking“. Check them if you are looking for a good tripod

What do you call a tripod with four legs?

It’s tetrapod or Quadpod. The pod is a Greek word for foot. A four-legged pod is more correctly called a tetrapod as there is little usage of quadpod. Quad is not a Latin word. It just formed verbally. 

The four-legged quadpod has multiple uses in industrial appliances. You can also use it in conjunction with a wide range of heightec rescue equipment as well. It is designed to supersede the tripod to provide more stability. It is in use all over the world by many civil engineers, rescue organizations, military uses, and the UK coastguard. It gives major weight balance than the tripods and monopods. 

Why does a three-legged support work better than one with four legs? 

Every 2D element has height and width. Let us take the example of a stool that has four legs. The stool or table that has four legs is perfectly placed on a flat surface. Remember that all legs should be equal. When you place any object on the surface of the table or stool, then it will balance the weight correctly. Even if you can sit properly on a four-legged stool or chair. 

But if one leg is different in height than the remaining and you need space to put an inverter on the stool, then you cannot. Only equal parts on the flat ground support stability that you can place any weighted objects too. 

In most of the cases, the four-legged support works better. Now when coming to three-legged support, the formula works only in certain conditions. In daily life, if you see a three-legged chair, then you will probably hesitate to sit on it. Even when you want to place some weighted objects, all the pressure will be at the center of the stool like the center point of the triangle.

So if those legs are too long and made with weak material, then the chances of breaking your stool increases. Once you get the point, then you will switch to the four-legged stool. 

Places like offices, schools, and hospitals prefer four or six-legged support. Three legs support is designed for the purpose to keep the balance with free motion. The movement will be easy. 

If you take the tripods or monopods as an example, they are made to move around occupying less space but giving more flexibility. The camera that needs pan and tilt shots can be attached to a tripod or monopod. Most of the tripods can be turned into monopods as well. The idea of designing is to make a circle in motion and connecting triangle sides. 


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