Finding the Third Proportional to 12,901.78 and 16,558.17

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,901.78 : 16,558.17 = 16,558.17 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,901.78/16,558.17 = 16,558.17/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,901.78x = 16,558.17 × 16,558.17
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,901.78x = 274,173,055.84
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 274,173,055.84/12,901.78
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 21,250.79