Finding the Third Proportional to 2,042 and 3,958

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,042 : 3,958 = 3,958 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,042/3,958 = 3,958/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,042x = 3,958 × 3,958
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,042x = 15,665,764
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 15,665,764/2,042
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 7,671.77