Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,044, 42,840.72 and 16,897.08

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,044 : 42,840.72 = 16,897.08 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,044/42,840.72 = 16,897.08/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,044x = 42,840.72 × 16,897.08
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,044x = 723,883,073.10
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 723,883,073.10/31,044
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,317.97