Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,001.42, 42,782.03 and 16,854.17

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,001.42 : 42,782.03 = 16,854.17 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,001.42/42,782.03 = 16,854.17/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,001.42x = 42,782.03 × 16,854.17
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,001.42x = 721,055,308.38
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,055,308.38/31,001.42
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,258.79