Finding the Third Proportional to 17,978 and 38,682

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,978 : 38,682 = 38,682 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,978/38,682 = 38,682/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,978x = 38,682 × 38,682
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,978x = 1,496,297,124
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,496,297,124/17,978
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 83,229.34