Finding the Third Proportional to 12,462 and 20,638

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,462 : 20,638 = 20,638 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,462/20,638 = 20,638/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,462x = 20,638 × 20,638
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,462x = 425,927,044
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 425,927,044/12,462
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 34,178.06