Finding the Third Proportional to 16,976 and 18,596

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   16,976 : 18,596 = 18,596 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   16,976/18,596 = 18,596/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   16,976x = 18,596 × 18,596
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   16,976x = 345,811,216
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 345,811,216/16,976
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 20,370.59