Finding the Third Proportional to 14,558 and 16,142

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   14,558 : 16,142 = 16,142 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   14,558/16,142 = 16,142/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   14,558x = 16,142 × 16,142
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   14,558x = 260,564,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 260,564,164/14,558
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 17,898.35