Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,003.96, 42,785.25 and 16,856.81

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,003.96 : 42,785.25 = 16,856.81 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,003.96/42,785.25 = 16,856.81/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,003.96x = 42,785.25 × 16,856.81
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,003.96x = 721,222,830.05
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,222,830.05/31,003.96
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,262.28