Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,144.75, 42,980.37 and 16,997.59

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,144.75 : 42,980.37 = 16,997.59 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,144.75/42,980.37 = 16,997.59/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,144.75x = 42,980.37 × 16,997.59
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,144.75x = 730,562,707.31
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,562,707.31/31,144.75
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,457.01