Finding the Third Proportional to 6,986 and 16,386

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   6,986 : 16,386 = 16,386 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   6,986/16,386 = 16,386/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   6,986x = 16,386 × 16,386
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   6,986x = 268,500,996
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 268,500,996/6,986
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 38,434.15