Finding the Third Proportional to 12,172 and 18,602

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,172 : 18,602 = 18,602 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,172/18,602 = 18,602/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,172x = 18,602 × 18,602
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,172x = 346,034,404
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 346,034,404/12,172
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 28,428.72