Finding the Third Proportional to 17,708 and 38,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,708 : 38,538 = 38,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,708/38,538 = 38,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,708x = 38,538 × 38,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,708x = 1,485,177,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,485,177,444/17,708
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 83,870.42