Finding the Third Proportional to 16,978.50 and 36,549

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,978.50 : 36,549 = 36,549 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,978.50/36,549 = 36,549/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,978.50x = 36,549 × 36,549
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,978.50x = 1,335,829,401
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,335,829,401/16,978.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 78,677.70