Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,143.36, 42,978.08 and 16,996.32

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,143.36 : 42,978.08 = 16,996.32 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,143.36/42,978.08 = 16,996.32/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,143.36x = 42,978.08 × 16,996.32
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,143.36x = 730,469,200.67
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,469,200.67/31,143.36
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,455.05