Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,144.32, 42,978.99 and 16,997.16

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,144.32 : 42,978.99 = 16,997.16 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,144.32/42,978.99 = 16,997.16/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,144.32x = 42,978.99 × 16,997.16
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,144.32x = 730,520,769.67
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,520,769.67/31,144.32
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,455.99