Weight Hung by Many Cords from a Balance Beam
For equilibrium only the plumb line through the weight's centre matters
The page shows a horizontal balance beam hung from a central pivot, carrying a single weight on the left arm and a weight suspended by several converging cords on the right. Leonardo's note argues that however many cords bear a load, all one must seek is the perpendicular (plumb line) through the centre of the weight and where it meets the arm above it. The scattered dots along the beam mark its divisions.
On this page
Only the plumb line through the weight's centre governs its effect
A load may be attached by as many cords as one wishes to the arms of the balance. To find its effect one need only determine the perpendicular through the centre of the weight and the point where it intersects the arm of the balance above it.
Balance beam with single and multi-cord suspensions
The drawing is a straight beam hung from a short central post. A boxed weight hangs from the left arm by one cord, while on the right a boxed weight is carried by several cords that converge to it, illustrating the many-cord case discussed in the text.