Finding the Third Proportional to 12,596 and 16,222

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,596 : 16,222 = 16,222 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,596/16,222 = 16,222/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,596x = 16,222 × 16,222
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,596x = 263,153,284
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 263,153,284/12,596
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 20,891.81