Finding the Third Proportional to 17,542 and 23,638

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,542 : 23,638 = 23,638 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,542/23,638 = 23,638/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,542x = 23,638 × 23,638
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,542x = 558,755,044
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 558,755,044/17,542
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 31,852.41