Finding the Third Proportional to 12,082 and 16,258

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,082 : 16,258 = 16,258 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,082/16,258 = 16,258/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,082x = 16,258 × 16,258
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,082x = 264,322,564
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 264,322,564/12,082
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 21,877.38