Finding the Third Proportional to 12,036 and 12,868

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,036 : 12,868 = 12,868 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,036/12,868 = 12,868/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,036x = 12,868 × 12,868
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,036x = 165,585,424
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 165,585,424/12,036
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 13,757.51