The triangular balance stays steady in any orientation
Three rotated views; centres of weight in equal or double proportion
Three diagrams across the top of the page show the same triangular balance turned into three different orientations, each with labelled arms and weights hung from the beam. Leonardo states that the arms of the triangular balance remain steady of themselves in whatever position they are turned. He adds that the centres of weight of the arms always keep an equal or double proportion of weight and of distance from the centre.
On this page
Arms stay fixed whatever the orientation
The arms of the triangular balance will remain steady of themselves in whatever position they are turned. The three drawings label the arms n, t, x, a, r, s; m, n, h, r, o, a, b; and r, t, c, b, q as the same balance is rotated.
Centres of weight in equal or double proportion
The centres of weight of the arms are always in equal or in double proportion of weight and of space measured from the centre of the balance. This proportional relation is what keeps the rotated arms in equilibrium.