How suspended beams and cords share their loads
Statics of a loaded beam m n and of weights hung on threads, with trial numbers
The sheet works out how suspended beams and threads distribute a load. A note reasons that a beam m n carrying four weights passes two to each end, and that a beam m e of equal weight discharges half to m and half to e, so that supporting beams always split their loads equally between their cords. Small figures of suspended rods and of a weight hung from a cord fixed at unequal heights carry trial numbers (14-5, 2 1/2-2 1/2-5, 1-7-8), with the remark that experiment showed each thread bears as much as the other. A large triangular rigging diagram, with apex i, hangs a weight over a horizontal line at the lower left.
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A four-weight beam m n splits its load to each support
The beam m n, bearing four weights, gives two to m and two to n. A beam m e of the same weight discharges half onto m and half onto e; thus the supporting beams always divide their weights equally between each of their cords.
A weight on a cord fixed at unequal heights holds equally on each thread
A figure of a weight suspended from a cord whose ends are fixed at different heights carries the numbers 1-7-8, with the note that it was tested and that one thread holds as much as the other.