Finding the Third Proportional to 7,596 and 17,142

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   7,596 : 17,142 = 17,142 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   7,596/17,142 = 17,142/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   7,596x = 17,142 × 17,142
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   7,596x = 293,848,164
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 293,848,164/7,596
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 38,684.59