Finding the Third Proportional to 12,897 and 20,434.50

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,897 : 20,434.50 = 20,434.50 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,897/20,434.50 = 20,434.50/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,897x = 20,434.50 × 20,434.50
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,897x = 417,568,790.25
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 417,568,790.25/12,897
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 32,377.20