Finding the Fourth Proportional to 5,900.28, 8,142.38 and 3,542.42

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   5,900.28 : 8,142.38 = 3,542.42 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   5,900.28/8,142.38 = 3,542.42/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   5,900.28x = 8,142.38 × 3,542.42
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   5,900.28x = 28,843,671.34
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 28,843,671.34/5,900.28
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 4,888.53