Finding the Third Proportional to 12,538 and 17,420

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,538 : 17,420 = 17,420 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,538/17,420 = 17,420/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,538x = 17,420 × 17,420
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,538x = 303,456,400
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 303,456,400/12,538
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 24,202.94