Finding the Third Proportional to 2,142 and 3,278

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,142 : 3,278 = 3,278 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,142/3,278 = 3,278/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,142x = 3,278 × 3,278
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,142x = 10,745,284
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 10,745,284/2,142
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 5,016.47