Final answer:
To accurately forecast the 5th period using a 4-MA, the data from the preceding four periods are required, which were not provided in the question.
Step-by-step explanation:
To forecast the 5th period using a 4-period moving average (4-MA), we need the values from the previous four periods. However, the question does not provide actual data values from prior periods. A moving average is calculated by adding the values of the data points in the given number of periods and then dividing by the number of periods. Typically, to forecast the 5th period, you would sum the actual values from periods 1, 2, 3, and 4 and then divide by 4.
Without the actual data, we cannot definitively provide a forecast for the 5th period. Therefore, the correct response to this student would be a request for additional information, specifically the numerical data for the previous four periods.