Finding the Third Proportional to 12,596 and 18,254

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,596 : 18,254 = 18,254 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,596/18,254 = 18,254/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,596x = 18,254 × 18,254
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,596x = 333,208,516
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 333,208,516/12,596
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 26,453.52