Finding the Third Proportional to 12,588 and 18,146

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,588 : 18,146 = 18,146 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,588/18,146 = 18,146/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,588x = 18,146 × 18,146
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,588x = 329,277,316
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 329,277,316/12,588
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 26,158.03