Finding the Third Proportional to 16,397 and 21,876

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,397 : 21,876 = 21,876 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,397/21,876 = 21,876/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,397x = 21,876 × 21,876
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,397x = 478,559,376
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 478,559,376/16,397
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 29,185.79