Finding the Third Proportional to 17,686 and 38,288

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,686 : 38,288 = 38,288 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,686/38,288 = 38,288/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,686x = 38,288 × 38,288
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,686x = 1,465,970,944
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,465,970,944/17,686
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 82,888.78