Finding the Third Proportional to 17,978.20 and 39,461.87

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,978.20 : 39,461.87 = 39,461.87 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,978.20/39,461.87 = 39,461.87/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,978.20x = 39,461.87 × 39,461.87
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,978.20x = 1,557,239,270.22
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,557,239,270.22/17,978.20
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 86,618.18