A general method for the load on each cord of a beam
Suspended rod a n m o p with a rule for apportioning weight among many cords
Marked "tested by experiment," the leaf shows a horizontal rod hung from several cords, its points labelled a, n, m, o, p with a centre marked and fractions (2 2/5, 2 2/5, 1 3/5, 1 3/5) set against the cords. The text gives a general method: divide the rod into a chosen number of parts, say 8, then pair each greater proportion with its opposite lesser one and count the parts each spans. Summing the greater and lesser numbers and dividing the 8 by that sum yields each cord's share, which is then assigned oppositely to give the weight it bears.
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Finding what weight each cord of the beam bears
To see how much various weight each of the many cords bears, divide the rod into as many parts as you please, here 8. Compare every proportion with its opposite, the greater against its lesser, count how many parts each embraces, and use these to assign each cord its opposite share of the weight so it comes out well.
Summing greater and lesser proportions to divide the total
Gather the numbers of all the greater proportions and likewise of the lesser, join the whole sum together, and by that sum divide the chosen figure of 8. Each cord is then given, oppositely, its resulting part of the weight.