Finding the Third Proportional to 16,436 and 26,142

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,436 : 26,142 = 26,142 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,436/26,142 = 26,142/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,436x = 26,142 × 26,142
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,436x = 683,404,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 683,404,164/16,436
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 41,579.71