Finding the Third Proportional to 8,661 and 18,978

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,661 : 18,978 = 18,978 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,661/18,978 = 18,978/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,661x = 18,978 × 18,978
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,661x = 360,164,484
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 360,164,484/8,661
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 41,584.63