Finding the Third Proportional to 12,426 and 17,371

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,426 : 17,371 = 17,371 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,426/17,371 = 17,371/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,426x = 17,371 × 17,371
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,426x = 301,751,641
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 301,751,641/12,426
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 24,283.89