How Angled Cords Carry Extra 'Accidental' Weight
The wider the angle between the supporting cords, the greater the load each must bear
The page examines how a weight (marked 8) hung from two cords is shared between them. When the enclosed space between the cords is equal they carry only the simple joined weight, but the more unequal it becomes, the more the cords are loaded with 'accidental' weight, as figures marked 64 against 8 show. Leonardo likens the ratio of force to weight to the section of a triangle ('pyramid') taken at its two acute angles, and notes that two figures having all their weight at the cord-angles n are equal in nature.
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Equal versus unequal cord spacing and accidental weight
If the space enclosed between the cords supporting the weight is equal, they support only the simple weight joined to them; and the more unequal it is, the more such cords are loaded with accidental weight.
Force to weight as a triangle's section at its acute angles
Here the force has such a proportion to the weight as the section of the pyramid b a has to the remainder of the point on the side of the two acute angles b c.
Figures with their weight at the cord-angles are equal in nature
This triangle is of the same nature as the opposite one above; and these two figures, having all the weight at the angles of the cords n, are equal in nature.