Finding the Third Proportional to 16,544 and 23,142

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,544 : 23,142 = 23,142 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,544/23,142 = 23,142/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,544x = 23,142 × 23,142
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,544x = 535,552,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 535,552,164/16,544
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 32,371.38