Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,144.88, 42,979.96 and 16,998

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,144.88 : 42,979.96 = 16,998 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,144.88/42,979.96 = 16,998/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,144.88x = 42,979.96 × 16,998
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,144.88x = 730,573,360.08
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,573,360.08/31,144.88
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,457.25