Finding the Fourth Proportional to 71.50, 98.68 and 42.38

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   71.50 : 98.68 = 42.38 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   71.50/98.68 = 42.38/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   71.50x = 98.68 × 42.38
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   71.50x = 4,182.06
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 4,182.06/71.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 58.49