Finding the Third Proportional to 8,142 and 17,509.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,142 : 17,509.50 = 17,509.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,142/17,509.50 = 17,509.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,142x = 17,509.50 × 17,509.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,142x = 306,582,590.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 306,582,590.25/8,142
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 37,654.46