Finding the Third Proportional to 38,488 and 83,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   38,488 : 83,538 = 83,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   38,488/83,538 = 83,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   38,488x = 83,538 × 83,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   38,488x = 6,978,597,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 6,978,597,444/38,488
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 181,318.79