Scaling of Squares, Triangles and Pyramids by Multiplication
Doubling a pyramid's base makes it eight times greater; similar solids compared by cubic ratio
Triangle and pyramid diagrams support a rule of scaling: as a square resolves into small squares by multiplying its sides, so a triangle resolves into similar triangles, and a solid into similar solids by multiplying cubically. Leonardo applies this to weight, stating that among pyramids of equal figure and the same material the weights follow the cube of the base, so a pyramid twice as wide at the foot is eight times greater. A worked case takes the base side 2 by 2 to get 4, then 2 by 4 to reach the 8 small pyramids that make up the large one. Letter-labels a through r and the numbers 2, 4 and 8 key the figures.
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Squares, triangles and pyramids resolved by multiplication
As square surfaces, multiplying the two sides about the right angle, resolve into that many small squares of like figure, so triangular surfaces divided equally on each side resolve into similar triangles, even when the sides are unequal. The same equating passes to the bodies of cubes and pyramids, multiplying the divisions of their two adjacent sides cubically.
Weight of similar pyramids grows as the cube of the base
Among pyramids of equal figure and of one same material, the same proportion is found in their weights as in the cubic multiplication of their bases. Therefore the pyramid a b r o c, being twice as wide at the foot as the pyramid e f n m c, will be eight times greater.
From side 2 to 4 surfaces to 8 solid pyramids
Multiply a b, the side of the base of pyramid a b c, which is 2 times 2, by its hypotenuse to make 4 surface pyramids similar to the side a b c. Then say again, 2 times 4 makes 8, which are the 8 pyramids similar to the large pyramid into which it is resolved.
