Finding the Third Proportional to 7,978.50 and 17,043

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   7,978.50 : 17,043 = 17,043 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   7,978.50/17,043 = 17,043/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   7,978.50x = 17,043 × 17,043
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   7,978.50x = 290,463,849
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 290,463,849/7,978.50
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 36,405.82