Finding the Fourth Proportional to 5,978.51, 8,972.47 and 4,142.54

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   5,978.51 : 8,972.47 = 4,142.54 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   5,978.51/8,972.47 = 4,142.54/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   5,978.51x = 8,972.47 × 4,142.54
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   5,978.51x = 37,168,843.48
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 37,168,843.48/5,978.51
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 6,217.08