Finding the Third Proportional to 16,431 and 36,142

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,431 : 36,142 = 36,142 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,431/36,142 = 36,142/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,431x = 36,142 × 36,142
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,431x = 1,306,244,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,306,244,164/16,431
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 79,498.76