Finding the Third Proportional to 16,686 and 25,986

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,686 : 25,986 = 25,986 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,686/25,986 = 25,986/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,686x = 25,986 × 25,986
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,686x = 675,272,196
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 675,272,196/16,686
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 40,469.39