Finding the Third Proportional to 27,658 and 42,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   27,658 : 42,538 = 42,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   27,658/42,538 = 42,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   27,658x = 42,538 × 42,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   27,658x = 1,809,481,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,809,481,444/27,658
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 65,423.44