Finding the Third Proportional to 32,196 and 42,438

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   32,196 : 42,438 = 42,438 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   32,196/42,438 = 42,438/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   32,196x = 42,438 × 42,438
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   32,196x = 1,800,983,844
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 1,800,983,844/32,196
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 55,938.12