Finding the Third Proportional to 5,742 and 12,172

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   5,742 : 12,172 = 12,172 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   5,742/12,172 = 12,172/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   5,742x = 12,172 × 12,172
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   5,742x = 148,157,584
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 148,157,584/5,742
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 25,802.44