Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,143.69, 42,978.42 and 16,996.77

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,143.69 : 42,978.42 = 16,996.77 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,143.69/42,978.42 = 16,996.77/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,143.69x = 42,978.42 × 16,996.77
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,143.69x = 730,494,319.70
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,494,319.70/31,143.69
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,455.61