Finding the Third Proportional to 12,048 and 13,872

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,048 : 13,872 = 13,872 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,048/13,872 = 13,872/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,048x = 13,872 × 13,872
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,048x = 192,432,384
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 192,432,384/12,048
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 15,972.14