Finding the Fourth Proportional to 12,186, 18,281.88 and 3,978

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,186 : 18,281.88 = 3,978 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,186/18,281.88 = 3,978/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,186x = 18,281.88 × 3,978
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,186x = 72,725,318.64
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 72,725,318.64/12,186
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 5,967.94