Finding the Third Proportional to 17,872 and 38,498

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,872 : 38,498 = 38,498 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,872/38,498 = 38,498/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,872x = 38,498 × 38,498
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,872x = 1,482,096,004
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,482,096,004/17,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 82,928.38