Finding the Third Proportional to 16,242 and 24,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,242 : 24,538 = 24,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,242/24,538 = 24,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,242x = 24,538 × 24,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,242x = 602,113,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 602,113,444/16,242
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 37,071.39