Finding the Third Proportional to 16,458 and 21,609

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,458 : 21,609 = 21,609 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,458/21,609 = 21,609/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,458x = 21,609 × 21,609
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,458x = 466,948,881
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 466,948,881/16,458
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 28,372.15