Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,044.61, 42,841.74 and 16,897.42

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,044.61 : 42,841.74 = 16,897.42 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,044.61/42,841.74 = 16,897.42/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,044.61x = 42,841.74 × 16,897.42
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,044.61x = 723,914,874.31
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 723,914,874.31/31,044.61
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,318.54