Finding the Third Proportional to 17,881 and 38,502

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,881 : 38,502 = 38,502 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,881/38,502 = 38,502/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,881x = 38,502 × 38,502
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,881x = 1,482,404,004
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,482,404,004/17,881
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 82,903.86