Finding the Fourth Proportional to 31,146.42, 42,981.39 and 16,999.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   31,146.42 : 42,981.39 = 16,999.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   31,146.42/42,981.39 = 16,999.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   31,146.42x = 42,981.39 × 16,999.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   31,146.42x = 730,662,139.31
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 730,662,139.31/31,146.42
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,458.94