Finding the Third Proportional to 8,500 and 12,286

Step by Step Solution

1. Step 1: Write the proportion equation
   8,500 : 12,286 = 12,286 : x
2. Step 2: Convert to fraction form
   8,500/12,286 = 12,286/x
3. Step 3: Cross multiply
   8,500x = 12,286 × 12,286
4. Step 4: Simplify right side
   8,500x = 150,945,796
5. Step 5: Solve for x
   x = 150,945,796/8,500
6. Step 6: Final answer
   x = 17,758.33