Finding the Third Proportional to 12,398 and 17,342

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,398 : 17,342 = 17,342 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,398/17,342 = 17,342/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,398x = 17,342 × 17,342
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,398x = 300,744,964
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 300,744,964/12,398
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 24,257.54