Why are camara stands tripods? Why 3 legs and not 4?

Question

A mathematical answer is what I need. Something like you need 3 noncollinear points to make a plane. Thanks

Answer 1

In geometry, two points make a line.

Say that we have two points A and B, no matter where they are placed, there will exactly be one line connecting them.

Now if a third point C comes into existence, there will be another line connecting point A to point C. There will certainly be another line connecting point B to point C. If drawn, there will appear a triangle, the most simple plane that can be created in geometry.

The real reason why a tripod is needed for a camera's stand is because two legs cannot create a steady stand, a plane must be created in order to remove the torque formed by just having two legs. Now the simpest way to make a plane is to have a triangle formed at the base.

Having three points and not four makes the camera's stand versatile. this is due to the fact that the four points, when subjected to a very chaotic ground will have one of it's legs exposed. Having this exposed will create a single line between two legs (imagine a square, the diagonal in the square is the line i am talking of) and will enable torque to work on the tripod (which you dont want).

However, an equilateral triangle does not have this line from which torque can work. (There is simply no leg that can be exposed as the triangle is the basic plane shape avilable.)

Answer 2

The three ends of legs are always in a plane, four points may nolie in aplane. so the stand is more stable with three legs rather than four legs.

Answer 3

3 legs cannot rock

4 legs would have to match perfectly the surface they are stood on

obvious isn't it?

(bet you are sorry you asked)

Answer 4

because if the ground is not exactly even, or the legs are not the exact same length, it will not tip or wobble. if there are four legs it will.

Answer 5

You have the answer right already.