Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,003.26, 42,784.38 and 16,856.16

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,003.26 : 42,784.38 = 16,856.16 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,003.26/42,784.38 = 16,856.16/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,003.26x = 42,784.38 × 16,856.16
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,003.26x = 721,180,354.78
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,180,354.78/31,003.26
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,261.44