Finding the Third Proportional to 16,002 and 21,542

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,002 : 21,542 = 21,542 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,002/21,542 = 21,542/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,002x = 21,542 × 21,542
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,002x = 464,057,764
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 464,057,764/16,002
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 28,999.99