Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,004.84, 42,785.52 and 16,857.20

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,004.84 : 42,785.52 = 16,857.20 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,004.84/42,785.52 = 16,857.20/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,004.84x = 42,785.52 × 16,857.20
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,004.84x = 721,244,067.74
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,244,067.74/31,004.84
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,262.31