Finding the Third Proportional to 12,388 and 16,242

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,388 : 16,242 = 16,242 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,388/16,242 = 16,242/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,388x = 16,242 × 16,242
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,388x = 263,802,564
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 263,802,564/12,388
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 21,295.01