Finding the Third Proportional to 16,281 and 21,987

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,281 : 21,987 = 21,987 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,281/21,987 = 21,987/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,281x = 21,987 × 21,987
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,281x = 483,428,169
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 483,428,169/16,281
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 29,692.78