Finding the Fourth Proportional to 71,042.40, 97,978.32 and 42,742.80

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   71,042.40 : 97,978.32 = 42,742.80 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   71,042.40/97,978.32 = 42,742.80/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   71,042.40x = 97,978.32 × 42,742.80
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   71,042.40x = 4,187,867,736.10
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 4,187,867,736.10/71,042.40
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 58,948.85