Finding the Third Proportional to 10,542 and 12,486

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   10,542 : 12,486 = 12,486 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   10,542/12,486 = 12,486/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   10,542x = 12,486 × 12,486
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   10,542x = 155,900,196
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 155,900,196/10,542
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 14,788.48