Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,004.31, 42,786.26 and 16,857.46

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,004.31 : 42,786.26 = 16,857.46 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,004.31/42,786.26 = 16,857.46/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,004.31x = 42,786.26 × 16,857.46
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,004.31x = 721,267,666.50
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,267,666.50/31,004.31
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,263.46