although the pivot exerts a force on the ruler it does not exert a torque with respect to the pivot point. why not?

The situation is not shown, however if one calculates torques about the pivot point, then the pivot point itself exerts no torque because the force applied by the pivot point exerts zero torque because Fp * L = 0 where L = 0 in this case.

If one wants to calculate torques about, say, the end of the ruler then one would need to calculate the torque applied by the pivot point.

fgravity=10x10=100n case 1

fgravity=30x20=600n case 2

6 times more

which piece of furniture will have the most inertia and give the furniture movers the most difficulty in moving?  

answer

a 75kg dining table