Finding the Third Proportional to 12,456 and 17,442

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,456 : 17,442 = 17,442 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,456/17,442 = 17,442/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,456x = 17,442 × 17,442
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,456x = 304,223,364
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 304,223,364/12,456
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 24,423.84