Finding the Third Proportional to 10,042 and 16,171

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   10,042 : 16,171 = 16,171 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   10,042/16,171 = 16,171/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   10,042x = 16,171 × 16,171
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   10,042x = 261,501,241
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 261,501,241/10,042
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 26,040.75