Finding the Fourth Proportional to 72,049.50, 99,431.82 and 40,217.76

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   72,049.50 : 99,431.82 = 40,217.76 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   72,049.50/99,431.82 = 40,217.76/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   72,049.50x = 99,431.82 × 40,217.76
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   72,049.50x = 3,998,925,073.12
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 3,998,925,073.12/72,049.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 55,502.47