Finding the Fourth Proportional to 30,872.88, 42,603.84 and 17,442

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   30,872.88 : 42,603.84 = 17,442 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   30,872.88/42,603.84 = 17,442/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   30,872.88x = 42,603.84 × 17,442
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   30,872.88x = 743,096,177.28
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 743,096,177.28/30,872.88
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 24,069.55