Finding the Third Proportional to 16,099 and 21,496

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,099 : 21,496 = 21,496 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,099/21,496 = 21,496/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,099x = 21,496 × 21,496
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,099x = 462,078,016
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 462,078,016/16,099
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 28,702.28