Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,143.78, 42,978.24 and 16,996.58

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,143.78 : 42,978.24 = 16,996.58 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,143.78/42,978.24 = 16,996.58/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,143.78x = 42,978.24 × 16,996.58
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,143.78x = 730,483,094.42
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,483,094.42/31,143.78
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,455.18