Finding the Fourth Proportional to 55,421.56, 83,144.01 and 17,978.71

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   55,421.56 : 83,144.01 = 17,978.71 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   55,421.56/83,144.01 = 17,978.71/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   55,421.56x = 83,144.01 × 17,978.71
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   55,421.56x = 1,494,821,538.41
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,494,821,538.41/55,421.56
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 26,971.84