Finding the Third Proportional to 17,996 and 38,186

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,996 : 38,186 = 38,186 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,996/38,186 = 38,186/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,996x = 38,186 × 38,186
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,996x = 1,458,170,596
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,458,170,596/17,996
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 81,027.48