Finding the Third Proportional to 16,242 and 17,862

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,242 : 17,862 = 17,862 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,242/17,862 = 17,862/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,242x = 17,862 × 17,862
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,242x = 319,051,044
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 319,051,044/16,242
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 19,643.58