Finding the Third Proportional to 16,172 and 21,731

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,172 : 21,731 = 21,731 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,172/21,731 = 21,731/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,172x = 21,731 × 21,731
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,172x = 472,236,361
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 472,236,361/16,172
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 29,200.86