Finding the Third Proportional to 12,596 and 17,288

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,596 : 17,288 = 17,288 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,596/17,288 = 17,288/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,596x = 17,288 × 17,288
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,596x = 298,874,944
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 298,874,944/12,596
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,727.77