Finding the Third Proportional to 17,780 and 38,696

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,780 : 38,696 = 38,696 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,780/38,696 = 38,696/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,780x = 38,696 × 38,696
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,780x = 1,497,380,416
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,497,380,416/17,780
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 84,217.12