Finding the Fourth Proportional to 42.72, 59.08 and 38.42

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   42.72 : 59.08 = 38.42 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   42.72/59.08 = 38.42/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   42.72x = 59.08 × 38.42
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   42.72x = 2,269.85
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 2,269.85/42.72
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 53.13