Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,144.16, 42,978.88 and 16,997.12

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,144.16 : 42,978.88 = 16,997.12 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,144.16/42,978.88 = 16,997.12/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,144.16x = 42,978.88 × 16,997.12
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,144.16x = 730,517,180.83
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,517,180.83/31,144.16
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,455.99