Finding the Fourth Proportional to 42.42, 58.50 and 27.86

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   42.42 : 58.50 = 27.86 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   42.42/58.50 = 27.86/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   42.42x = 58.50 × 27.86
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   42.42x = 1,629.81
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,629.81/42.42
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 38.42