Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,004.57, 42,786.56 and 16,857.45

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,004.57 : 42,786.56 = 16,857.45 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,004.57/42,786.56 = 16,857.45/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,004.57x = 42,786.56 × 16,857.45
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,004.57x = 721,272,338.02
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,272,338.02/31,004.57
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,263.42