Finding the Third Proportional to 12,686 and 17,724

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,686 : 17,724 = 17,724 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,686/17,724 = 17,724/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,686x = 17,724 × 17,724
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,686x = 314,140,176
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 314,140,176/12,686
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 24,762.74