Finding the Fourth Proportional to 71.42, 98.53 and 42.31

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   71.42 : 98.53 = 42.31 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   71.42/98.53 = 42.31/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   71.42x = 98.53 × 42.31
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   71.42x = 4,168.80
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 4,168.80/71.42
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 58.37