Finding the Third Proportional to 16,478 and 25,731

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,478 : 25,731 = 25,731 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,478/25,731 = 25,731/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,478x = 25,731 × 25,731
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,478x = 662,084,361
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 662,084,361/16,478
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 40,179.90