Finding the Fourth Proportional to 30,896.02, 42,613.86 and 20,281.78

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   30,896.02 : 42,613.86 = 20,281.78 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   30,896.02/42,613.86 = 20,281.78/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   30,896.02x = 42,613.86 × 20,281.78
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   30,896.02x = 864,284,933.47
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 864,284,933.47/30,896.02
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 27,973.99