Finding the Fourth Proportional to 5,898.16, 8,142.96 and 5,242.06

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   5,898.16 : 8,142.96 = 5,242.06 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   5,898.16/8,142.96 = 5,242.06/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   5,898.16x = 8,142.96 × 5,242.06
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   5,898.16x = 42,685,884.90
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 42,685,884.90/5,898.16
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 7,237.15