Finding the Third Proportional to 12,996 and 17,462

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   12,996 : 17,462 = 17,462 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   12,996/17,462 = 17,462/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   12,996x = 17,462 × 17,462
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   12,996x = 304,921,444
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 304,921,444/12,996
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,462.71