Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,017.24, 42,802.32 and 16,869.72

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,017.24 : 42,802.32 = 16,869.72 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,017.24/42,802.32 = 16,869.72/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,017.24x = 42,802.32 × 16,869.72
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,017.24x = 722,063,153.75
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 722,063,153.75/31,017.24
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,279.41