Finding the Fourth Proportional to 2,581.36, 3,871.68 and 1,042

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,581.36 : 3,871.68 = 1,042 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,581.36/3,871.68 = 1,042/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,581.36x = 3,871.68 × 1,042
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,581.36x = 4,034,290.56
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 4,034,290.56/2,581.36
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 1,562.85