Finding the Third Proportional to 14,678.72 and 16,265.81

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   14,678.72 : 16,265.81 = 16,265.81 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   14,678.72/16,265.81 = 16,265.81/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   14,678.72x = 16,265.81 × 16,265.81
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   14,678.72x = 264,576,656.29
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 264,576,656.29/14,678.72
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 18,024.51