Why would a 3 legged stool can stand and a 4 legged stool can woggle?
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nowyermessingwithasonofabitch
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Long answer short: 3 points always make a plane (and a circle but that's of no concern here).
4 points are not as likely to form a flat plane. 3 are a guarantee.
Anonymous
For something that has no actual means of balance, such as a human, an object with three points of contact can stand. It is difficult to make a 3 leg stool wobble because at least three points need to be in contact with the ground for it to stand unless balanced.
Consider a 4 legged stool now. The legs typically form a square on the ground, or a rectangle. This results in straight lines. If the ground is curved, one of the 4 legs may not be in contact. You may even get into a situation where it totters back and forth with only two legs ALWAYS in contact, and one of the other 2 in contact at any given point. However, for it to remain still without being balanced, 3 of the 4 legs must touch.
So why make 4 leg stools? On a flat surface, you are less likely to tip a stool with 4 legs than a stool with 3. On an uneven stuface, you may be better off with 3.
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3 Leg Stool
Anonymous
Cost per leg of 4-legged stools = $20/4 = $5 Cost per leg of 3-legged stools = $15/3 = $5 Therefore, the cost of all the stools is 108*$5 = $540
Anonymous
Because all it takes is for 1 leg to be shorter on the 4 legged stool and you instantly have a wobble.
On the 3 legger, all 3 legs are necessary for operation, always having weight/pressure on them, not allowing for a wobble.
One more reason why 3 is a great number.
III