Finding the Third Proportional to 16,434 and 35,871

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,434 : 35,871 = 35,871 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,434/35,871 = 35,871/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,434x = 35,871 × 35,871
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,434x = 1,286,728,641
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,286,728,641/16,434
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 78,296.74