Finding the Third Proportional to 38,901 and 82,986

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   38,901 : 82,986 = 82,986 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   38,901/82,986 = 82,986/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   38,901x = 82,986 × 82,986
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   38,901x = 6,886,676,196
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 6,886,676,196/38,901
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 177,030.83