Finding the Fourth Proportional to 38,944, 53,742.72 and 21,280

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   38,944 : 53,742.72 = 21,280 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   38,944/53,742.72 = 21,280/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   38,944x = 53,742.72 × 21,280
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   38,944x = 1,143,645,081.60
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,143,645,081.60/38,944
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 29,366.40