Finding the Third Proportional to 12,496 and 17,886

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,496 : 17,886 = 17,886 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,496/17,886 = 17,886/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,496x = 17,886 × 17,886
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,496x = 319,908,996
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 319,908,996/12,496
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 25,600.91