Finding the Third Proportional to 12,434 and 15,816

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,434 : 15,816 = 15,816 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,434/15,816 = 15,816/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,434x = 15,816 × 15,816
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,434x = 250,145,856
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 250,145,856/12,434
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 20,117.89