Finding the Fourth Proportional to 32.71, 48.78 and 28.42

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32.71 : 48.78 = 28.42 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32.71/48.78 = 28.42/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32.71x = 48.78 × 28.42
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32.71x = 1,386.33
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,386.33/32.71
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 42.38