Finding the Third Proportional to 13,972 and 31,598

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   13,972 : 31,598 = 31,598 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   13,972/31,598 = 31,598/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   13,972x = 31,598 × 31,598
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   13,972x = 998,433,604
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 998,433,604/13,972
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 71,459.61