Finding the Third Proportional to 16,856 and 38,420

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,856 : 38,420 = 38,420 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,856/38,420 = 38,420/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,856x = 38,420 × 38,420
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,856x = 1,476,096,400
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,476,096,400/16,856
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 87,570.98