Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,008.54, 42,791.49 and 16,861.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,008.54 : 42,791.49 = 16,861.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,008.54/42,791.49 = 16,861.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,008.54x = 42,791.49 × 16,861.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,008.54x = 721,528,708.64
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 721,528,708.64/31,008.54
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,268.71