Finding the Third Proportional to 17,978 and 36,442

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,978 : 36,442 = 36,442 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,978/36,442 = 36,442/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,978x = 36,442 × 36,442
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,978x = 1,328,019,364
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,328,019,364/17,978
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 73,869.14