Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,006.30, 42,788.17 and 16,859.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,006.30 : 42,788.17 = 16,859.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,006.30/42,788.17 = 16,859.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,006.30x = 42,788.17 × 16,859.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,006.30x = 721,387,152.12
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,387,152.12/31,006.30
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,265.83