Finding the Third Proportional to 2,872 and 5,342

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   2,872 : 5,342 = 5,342 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   2,872/5,342 = 5,342/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   2,872x = 5,342 × 5,342
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   2,872x = 28,536,964
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 28,536,964/2,872
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 9,936.27