Finding the Third Proportional to 17,896 and 20,488

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   17,896 : 20,488 = 20,488 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   17,896/20,488 = 20,488/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   17,896x = 20,488 × 20,488
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   17,896x = 419,758,144
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 419,758,144/17,896
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 23,455.42