Balance and opposed counter-weights (verso)
A note on counterweighting a balance arm, with the ratio 'quincupla sexquialtera'.
The verso continues the balance studies of the facing page. One note describes how opposed counter-weights act on an arm that they themselves counterweight, while a balance diagram is labelled with the proportion quincupla sexquialtera, a quintuple-and-sesquialteral ratio. Graduated beams, a scale pan, a small pulley numbered 27 and festoons of hanging cords are laid in red chalk and pen.
On this page
Opposed counter-weights on a balance arm
A note beside the balance states that such will be the behaviour of the opposed counter-weights, with the arm counterweighted by them. It captures how two loads set against each other settle the equilibrium of the beam.
Ratio labelled 'quincupla sexquialtera'
One balance scheme is tagged with the Latin proportion quincupla sexquialtera, a quintuple combined with a sesquialteral (3:2) ratio. The term fixes the ratio of the weights or arms in that diagram.
Graduated beams, a pulley and hanging festoons
Red-chalk and pen drawing lays out a graduated balance beam over a scale pan, a small pulley marked 27, and arcs of hanging cords looped like festoons beneath the arm. These illustrate the weight schemes discussed in the notes.