Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,005.48, 42,788.04 and 16,858.38

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,005.48 : 42,788.04 = 16,858.38 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,005.48/42,788.04 = 16,858.38/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,005.48x = 42,788.04 × 16,858.38
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,005.48x = 721,337,037.78
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,337,037.78/31,005.48
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,264.82