Finding the Third Proportional to 17,538 and 26,494.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,538 : 26,494.50 = 26,494.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,538/26,494.50 = 26,494.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,538x = 26,494.50 × 26,494.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,538x = 701,958,530.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 701,958,530.25/17,538
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 40,025.00