Finding the Third Proportional to 7,978 and 17,042

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   7,978 : 17,042 = 17,042 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   7,978/17,042 = 17,042/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   7,978x = 17,042 × 17,042
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   7,978x = 290,429,764
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 290,429,764/7,978
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 36,403.83