Finding the Third Proportional to 11,972 and 17,086

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   11,972 : 17,086 = 17,086 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   11,972/17,086 = 17,086/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   11,972x = 17,086 × 17,086
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   11,972x = 291,931,396
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 291,931,396/11,972
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 24,384.51