Finding the Third Proportional to 16,388 and 18,500

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,388 : 18,500 = 18,500 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,388/18,500 = 18,500/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,388x = 18,500 × 18,500
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,388x = 342,250,000
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 342,250,000/16,388
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 20,884.18