Finding the Third Proportional to 16,696 and 25,842

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,696 : 25,842 = 25,842 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,696/25,842 = 25,842/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,696x = 25,842 × 25,842
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,696x = 667,808,964
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 667,808,964/16,696
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 39,998.14