Finding the Third Proportional to 5,638 and 12,142

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   5,638 : 12,142 = 12,142 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   5,638/12,142 = 12,142/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   5,638x = 12,142 × 12,142
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   5,638x = 147,428,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 147,428,164/5,638
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 26,149.02