The grand astrologer's platform and ramp: four problems in solid geometry from Wang Xiaotong's `Continuation of ancient mathematics' (7th century AD) (Q1940134)

This article examines a problem in Wang Xiaotong's canonical book \textit{Continuation of ancient mathematics} (\textit{Jigu suanjing}) dated approximately around the late 6th to the 7th century AD. The problem is formulated in concrete terms, the construction of the Grand Astrologer's platform and ramp, and leads to a cubic equation. In the given problem solution the coefficients of the resulting equation are calculated, but Wang Xiaotong gives no indication of how to find its roots. The authors assume that this was ``obviously a well-known procedure, for algorithms are described in detail'' in earlier and later works. The text provides an overview of the problem and solution using modern mathematical terminology. At the end of the article, a complete translation and symbolic transcription are appended.