Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,087.96, 42,901.31 and 16,940.78

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,087.96 : 42,901.31 = 16,940.78 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,087.96/42,901.31 = 16,940.78/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,087.96x = 42,901.31 × 16,940.78
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,087.96x = 726,781,654.42
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 726,781,654.42/31,087.96
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,378.24