Cords, a struck cube, and the corded triangle a b d
Unequal loading of hung cords; a rigid board versus a cord under weight
The sheet gathers several statical problems: cords hung from the same height are loaded more unequally at their ends the further their weight overhangs, and a triangle a b d is compared as a rigid board with the same shape made of cord, in which the weight falls only beneath c, at d. A separate note imagines the upper part of a cube struck by an equal blow, its sides and angles parting equally from the centre. Marginal figures of a cube, prism and other solids, and lengths given in thirds of a braccio, accompany the balance sketches.
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Cords loaded unequally at their ends
Among cords hung from ends fixed at the same height, the one whose weight overhangs with more unequal parts is the more unequally loaded at its ends. The overhang decides how the load splits between the two ends.
Rigid board versus corded triangle a b d
If the triangle a b d were of solid board, every part would weigh in its due share upon the arms of the balance; but in the cord version the weight falls only beneath c, at d. The comparison isolates where a corded shape actually loads its support.
A cube struck by an equal blow
All the parts of the sides together with their angles will part equally from their centre if the upper face of the enclosed cube is struck all over by an equal blow. Small solids - a cube, a prism and other figures - are drawn nearby.
Lengths in thirds of a braccio
Measures beside the figures are given as one third and two thirds of a braccio, fixing the proportions of the hanging elements. The fractions set the scale of the balance problem.