Finding the Third Proportional to 8,142 and 17,538

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,142 : 17,538 = 17,538 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,142/17,538 = 17,538/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,142x = 17,538 × 17,538
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,142x = 307,581,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 307,581,444/8,142
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 37,777.14