Finding the Third Proportional to 8,731 and 13,540

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,731 : 13,540 = 13,540 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,731/13,540 = 13,540/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,731x = 13,540 × 13,540
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,731x = 183,331,600
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 183,331,600/8,731
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 20,997.78