Finding the Third Proportional to 16,426 and 17,866

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,426 : 17,866 = 17,866 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,426/17,866 = 17,866/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,426x = 17,866 × 17,866
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,426x = 319,193,956
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 319,193,956/16,426
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 19,432.24