Finding the Third Proportional to 15,042 and 21,498

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   15,042 : 21,498 = 21,498 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   15,042/21,498 = 21,498/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   15,042x = 21,498 × 21,498
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   15,042x = 462,164,004
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 462,164,004/15,042
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 30,724.90