Finding the Third Proportional to 12,142 and 16,314

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,142 : 16,314 = 16,314 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,142/16,314 = 16,314/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,142x = 16,314 × 16,314
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,142x = 266,146,596
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 266,146,596/12,142
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 21,919.50