Weight of suspended beams shared among their cords
Three red-chalk beams divided in proportion, with numbered load-shares
Three horizontal beams hang from vertical cords, each drawn in red chalk and marked with numbers showing how a beam's weight is divided among its supports. A pen note explains that beam a b distributes its weight in thirds to the cords. A lower figure repeats the beam with fractional loads (10 22/49 and 11 5/49) set along a scale divided into parts numbered 3 2 1.
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Beam a b divides its weight in thirds among the cords
A pen note states that beam a b shares its weight in three parts among the cords that hold it. The suspended beams above are each carried by several vertical cords whose numbered marks give each cord's share of the load.
Fractional load-shares along a divided scale
The lowest beam carries the values 10 22/49, 10 22/49 and 11 5/49, its length divided into parts numbered 3 2 1. The fractions record how the total weight is apportioned to each supporting cord.