The relation 4:6 = 10:x can be expressed as 4/6 = 10/x. Cross-multiplying gives 4x = 60, so x = 60/4 = 15. Therefore, 15 is the fourth proportional to 4, 6 and 10, making the two ratios 4:6 and 10:15 equal.
Option A:
Option A, 12, would give 10:12 = 5:6, while 4:6 simplifies to 2:3. Since 2:3 ≠ 5:6, the equality of ratios is not preserved, and 12 cannot be the correct fourth proportional.
Option B:
Option B is correct because substituting x = 15 yields 10:15 = 2:3, which matches 4:6 = 2:3. This confirms that the proportionality 4:6 = 10:15 holds perfectly, satisfying the definition of fourth proportional.
Option C:
Option C, 18, leads to 10:18 = 5:9, which again does not equal 2:3 and therefore fails the test of proportion. Even though 18 is larger than 15, it does not maintain the required ratio.
Option D:
Option D, 20, produces 10:20 = 1:2, while 4:6 = 2:3, so the two ratios differ markedly. As a result, 20 is not consistent with the proportional relationship given in the question.
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