Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,132, 42,962.16 and 16,985.15

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,132 : 42,962.16 = 16,985.15 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,132/42,962.16 = 16,985.15/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,132x = 42,962.16 × 16,985.15
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,132x = 729,718,731.92
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 729,718,731.92/31,132
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,439.51