Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,126.24, 42,954.06 and 16,978.96

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,126.24 : 42,954.06 = 16,978.96 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,126.24/42,954.06 = 16,978.96/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,126.24x = 42,954.06 × 16,978.96
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,126.24x = 729,315,266.58
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 729,315,266.58/31,126.24
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,430.88