Finding the Third Proportional to 16,596 and 18,972

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,596 : 18,972 = 18,972 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,596/18,972 = 18,972/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,596x = 18,972 × 18,972
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,596x = 359,936,784
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 359,936,784/16,596
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 21,688.16