Finding the Third Proportional to 20,438 and 28,142

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   20,438 : 28,142 = 28,142 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   20,438/28,142 = 28,142/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   20,438x = 28,142 × 28,142
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   20,438x = 791,972,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 791,972,164/20,438
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 38,749.98