Finding the Fourth Proportional to 28,596.42, 42,868.71 and 16,258.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   28,596.42 : 42,868.71 = 16,258.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   28,596.42/42,868.71 = 16,258.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   28,596.42x = 42,868.71 × 16,258.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   28,596.42x = 696,980,921.54
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 696,980,921.54/28,596.42
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 24,373.01