Finding the Third Proportional to 12,462 and 21,501

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,462 : 21,501 = 21,501 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,462/21,501 = 21,501/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,462x = 21,501 × 21,501
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,462x = 462,293,001
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 462,293,001/12,462
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 37,096.21