Finding the Third Proportional to 17,872 and 38,504

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,872 : 38,504 = 38,504 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,872/38,504 = 38,504/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,872x = 38,504 × 38,504
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,872x = 1,482,558,016
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,482,558,016/17,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 82,954.23