Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,142.32, 42,978.09 and 16,995.26

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,142.32 : 42,978.09 = 16,995.26 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,142.32/42,978.09 = 16,995.26/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,142.32x = 42,978.09 × 16,995.26
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,142.32x = 730,423,813.85
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,423,813.85/31,142.32
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,454.38