Finding the Fourth Proportional to 8,978.04, 12,400.10 and 5,989

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,978.04 : 12,400.10 = 5,989 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,978.04/12,400.10 = 5,989/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,978.04x = 12,400.10 × 5,989
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,978.04x = 74,264,198.90
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 74,264,198.90/8,978.04
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 8,271.76