Finding the Third Proportional to 36,178 and 55,642

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   36,178 : 55,642 = 55,642 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   36,178/55,642 = 55,642/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   36,178x = 55,642 × 55,642
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   36,178x = 3,096,032,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 3,096,032,164/36,178
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 85,577.76