Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,126.01, 42,953.81 and 16,978.86

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,126.01 : 42,953.81 = 16,978.86 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,126.01/42,953.81 = 16,978.86/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,126.01x = 42,953.81 × 16,978.86
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,126.01x = 729,306,641.56
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 729,306,641.56/31,126.01
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,430.78