An inclined beam held by three cords
How the load at n changes with the supporting cord a, b or c
A statics problem: an inclined beam rests on two points of support but is also pulled by three cords, drawn below in red chalk as a beam running down to a point marked n with lines fanning out to labelled points. Along the top Leonardo lists the points c, b, a, m, n and asks how the weight at n varies when the beam is held at m by cord a, b or c, and why it varies.
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Load at n under three alternative cords
For an inclined beam with two supports but pulled by three cords, Leonardo asks the variation that the weight makes at n when it is sustained at m by cord a, or b, or c, and why the weight at n changes with the choice of cord.
Diagram of the loaded beam
Below the text a red-chalk diagram shows the inclined beam descending to a point marked n, with straight lines fanning out from it toward the supports and labelled points, and a vertical line dropping to a further mark below.