Finding the Third Proportional to 16,431 and 35,865

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,431 : 35,865 = 35,865 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,431/35,865 = 35,865/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,431x = 35,865 × 35,865
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,431x = 1,286,298,225
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,286,298,225/16,431
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 78,284.84