Finding the Fourth Proportional to 42.58, 58.78 and 38.02

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   42.58 : 58.78 = 38.02 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   42.58/58.78 = 38.02/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   42.58x = 58.78 × 38.02
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   42.58x = 2,234.61
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 2,234.61/42.58
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 52.49