Finding the Third Proportional to 2,042 and 3,196

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,042 : 3,196 = 3,196 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,042/3,196 = 3,196/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,042x = 3,196 × 3,196
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,042x = 10,214,416
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 10,214,416/2,042
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 5,002.16