Finding the Third Proportional to 15,142 and 16,582

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   15,142 : 16,582 = 16,582 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   15,142/16,582 = 16,582/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   15,142x = 16,582 × 16,582
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   15,142x = 274,962,724
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 274,962,724/15,142
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 18,158.94