Finding the Third Proportional to 12,204 and 16,078

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,204 : 16,078 = 16,078 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,204/16,078 = 16,078/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,204x = 16,078 × 16,078
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,204x = 258,502,084
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 258,502,084/12,204
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 21,181.75