Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,004.22, 42,786.37 and 16,857.16

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,004.22 : 42,786.37 = 16,857.16 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,004.22/42,786.37 = 16,857.16/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,004.22x = 42,786.37 × 16,857.16
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,004.22x = 721,256,642.77
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,256,642.77/31,004.22
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,263.18