This is the 4494th most frequent Russian word.
второму
"Dative form of 'second' (to the second)."
The word 'второму' is the dative form of 'второй' and is used here to specify the beneficiary of the action.
Я помог второму ученику в выполнении задания.
I helped the second student with completing the task.
The word 'второму' functions in its dative case form to indicate to whom the action of providing assistance is directed.
Мы оказали помощь второму пострадавшему.
We provided assistance to the second victim.
'Второму' is in dative case, showing who receives the award in the context of the sentence.